The common functional FKBP5 variant rs1360780 is associated with altered cognitive function in aged individuals

Sci Rep. 2014 Oct 21:4:6696. doi: 10.1038/srep06696.

Abstract

The common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1360780 (C/T) of the FK506 Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5) gene has been reported to be associated with an altered response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the present study, we examined whether this SNP is associated with cognitive function in a non-clinical population. The full versions of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised were administered to 742 and 627 Japanese individuals, respectively, followed by genotyping of rs1360780 by the TaqMan 5'-exonuclease allelic discrimination assay. For both cognitive tests, we found significantly poorer attention/concentration (working memory) in aged (>50 years old) individuals carrying the T allele compared with their counterparts. This finding accords with an altered HPA axis and vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / genetics*
  • Aging / pathology
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / genetics*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins
  • tacrolimus binding protein 5