Genetic variants associated with age-related episodic memory decline implicate distinct memory pathologies

Background: Approximately 40% of people aged ≥ 65 experience memory loss, particularly in episodic memory. Identifying the genetic basis of episodic memory decline is crucial for uncovering its underlying causes.

Methods: We investigated common and rare genetic variants associated with episodic memory decline in 742 (632 for rare variants) Ashkenazi Jewish individuals (mean age 75) from the LonGenity study. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations were performed to uncover mechanistic insights underlying rare variants associated with episodic memory decline.

Results: In addition to the common polygenic risk of Alzheimer's disease, we identified and replicated rare variant associations in ITSN1 and CRHR2. Structural analyses revealed distinct memory pathologies mediated by interfacial rare coding variants such as impaired receptor activation of corticotropin releasing hormone and dysregulated L-serine synthesis.

Discussion: Our study uncovers novel risk loci for episodic memory decline. The identified underlying mechanisms point toward heterogenous memory pathologies mediated by rare coding variants.

Highlights: We demonstrated the contribution of the common polygenic risk of Alzheimer's disease to episodic memory decline. We discovered and replicated two risk genes associated with episodic memory decline implicated by rare variants, were discovered and replicated. We demonstrated molecular mechanisms and potential novel memory pathologies underlying interfacial rare coding variants. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to understand the downstream effects of risk rare coding variants.