Triallelic relationships between the serotonin transporter polymorphism and cognition among healthy older adults

Int J Neurosci. 2014 May;124(5):331-8. doi: 10.3109/00207454.2013.845822. Epub 2013 Oct 17.

Abstract

The biallelic serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-hydroxytryptamine transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR)) is a common genetic sequence associated with serotonin transporter (5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT)) expression, which is further modulated by a triallelic single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs25531). Recent studies using the biallelic 5-HTTLPR have identified a beneficial role of low 5-HTT expression on cognitive performance, although no studies have examined the impact of the triallelic 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 marker on cognitive performance among healthy older adults. In the present study, we addressed this issue in 84 healthy older adults genotyped for biallelic and triallelic variants of 5-HTT. Groups were created based on low, medium and high levels of expression, as indicated by the triallelic marker. Results indicated that individuals with low 5-HTT expression performed significantly better on a test of memory compared with individuals with medium 5-HTT expression. This suggests that possession of low-expressing genetic variants of 5-HTT is modestly associated with enhanced cognitive performance among healthy older adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alleles
  • Biomarkers
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins