Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2025

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction PPI Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
09:38

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction PPI Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: November 14, 2017

14.9K

Polygenic susceptibility for multiple sclerosis is associated with working memory in low-performing young adults

J Petrovska1, D Coynel2, V Freytag1

  • 1Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland; Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|July 26, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Genetic risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to lower working memory (WM) performance in healthy adults. MS polygenic risk scores (PRS) associated with WM, but not white matter integrity, suggesting distinct genetic pathways for MS risk and severity.

Area of Science:

  • Neurogenetics
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroimmunology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurological disorder with significant genetic heritability.
  • MS is associated with cognitive impairments, particularly in working memory (WM).
  • Brain abnormalities, including white matter changes, are characteristic of MS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between polygenic risk for MS and WM performance in healthy young adults.
  • To examine the relationship between MS polygenic risk and white matter integrity (fractional anisotropy, FA).
  • To explore genetic associations with MS severity in relation to WM and FA.

Main Methods:

  • A polygenic risk score (PRS) for MS susceptibility was generated in 3282 healthy adults.
  • The association between MS-PRS and WM performance was analyzed.
  • The relationship between MS-PRS and white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) was assessed in a subsample.

Main Results:

  • MS-PRS was significantly associated with lower WM performance in the lowest-performing individuals.
  • No significant association was found between MS-PRS and white matter FA.
  • MS severity PRS showed significant associations with mean FA, suggesting distinct genetic influences.

Conclusions:

  • This study identifies a genetic link between MS susceptibility and WM performance in healthy individuals.
  • The findings contribute to understanding the genetic complexity of MS and potential molecular pathways for cognitive deficits.
  • Genetic associations with MS severity appear to involve different biological pathways than those related to overall MS risk.
Keywords:
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)Fractional anisotropy (FA)GeneticsMultiple sclerosis (MS)Polygenic risk score (PRS)Working memory (WM)

More Related Videos

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment07:01

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment

Published on: September 20, 2020

4.7K
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

11.4K

Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
150
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
33
Biological Influences on Intelligence01:30

Biological Influences on Intelligence

Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter...
84