NR ASVW
AU Papassotiropoulos,A.; Wollmer,M.A.; Aguzzi,A.; Hock,C.; Nitsch,R.M.; de Quervain,D.J.
TI The prion gene is associated with human long-term memory
QU Human Molecular Genetics 2005 Aug 1; 14(15): 2241-6
PT journal article
AB Human cognitive processes are highly variable across individuals and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Although genetic variations affect short-term memory in humans, it is unknown whether genetic variability has also an impact on long-term memory. Because prion-like conformational changes may be involved in the induction of long-lasting synaptic plasticity, we examined the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the prion protein gene (PRNP) on long-term memory in healthy young humans. SNPs in the genomic region of PRNP were associated with better long-term memory performance in two independent populations with different educational background. Among the examined PRNP SNPs, the common Met129Val polymorphism yielded the highest effect size. Twenty-four hours after a word list-learning task, carriers of either the 129MM or the 129MV genotype recalled 17% more information than 129VV carriers, but short-term memory was unaffected. These results suggest a role for the prion protein in the formation of long-term memory in humans.
MH Adult; Amyloid/*genetics; Female; Genetic Heterogeneity; Genotype; Haplotypes; Humans; Male; Memory/*physiology; Memory, Short-Term/physiology; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prions/*genetics; Protein Precursors/*genetics; *Variation (Genetics)
AD Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zürich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland. papas@bli.unizh.ch
SP englisch
PO England