Association between the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and verbal learning in older adults is moderated by gender

A-R Imlach; D D Ward; J C Vickers; Mathew J Summers; K L Felmingham

doi:10.1038/tp.2017.107

Back

Association between the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and verbal learning in older adults is moderated by gender

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Association between the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and verbal learning in older adults is moderated by gender

A-R Imlach, D D Ward, J C Vickers, Mathew J Summers and K L Felmingham

Translational Psychiatry, Vol.7, e1144

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2017.107

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Published Version (Open Access)279.70 kBDownload View

Published VersionPDF - Published Version (Open Access)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2017.107View

Published Version

Abstract

memory function

serotonergic system

older adults

The S allele of the functional 5-HTTLPR polymorphism has previously been associated with reductions in memory function. Given the change in function of the serotonergic system in older adults, and the functional consequences of memory decline in this agegroup, further investigation into the impact of 5-HTTLPR in healthy older adults is required. This investigation examined the effect of 5-HTTLPR variants (S carriers versus L/L homozygotes) on verbal and visual episodic memory in 438 healthy older adults participating in the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project (age range 50-79 years, M = 60.35, s.d. = 6.75). Direct effects of 5-HTTLPR on memory processes, in addition to indirect effects through interaction with age and gender, were assessed. Although no direct effects of 5-HTTLPR on memory processes were identified, our results indicated that gender significantly moderated the impact that 5-HTTLPR variants exerted on the relationship between age and verbal episodic memory function as assessed by the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. No significant direct or indirect effects were identified in relation to visual memory performance. Overall, this investigation found evidence to suggest that 5-HTTLPR genotype affects the association of age and verbal episodic memory for males and females differently, with the predicted negative effect of S carriage present in males but not females. Such findings indicate a gender-dependent role for 5-HTTLPR in the verbal episodic memory system of healthy older adults.

Details

Title: Association between the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and verbal learning in older adults is moderated by gender
Authors: A-R Imlach (Author) - University of Tasmania
D D Ward (Author) - University of Tasmania
J C Vickers (Author) - University of Tasmania
Mathew J Summers (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
K L Felmingham (Author) - University of Melbourne
Publication details: Translational Psychiatry, Vol.7, e1144; 7
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.107
ISSN: 2158-3188
Copyright note: Copyright © The Author(s) 2017. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Grants: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project: a longitudinal intervention study to reduce the risk of ageing-related cognitive decline and dementia, 1108794, National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - NHMRC
The Healthy Brain Project: A prospective cohort study to examine how later-life university education may affect the trajectory of ageing-related cognitive decline, 1003645, National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - NHMRC
Organisation Unit: School of Health; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450916902621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

143 File views/ downloads

1727 Record Views

3 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychiatry

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites