Better Memory Performance linked to Genetic Variant

     The largest study to date of human memory using genomic data was done by the research team of IU School of Medicine, led by post-doctoral medical student Vijay K. Ramanan. This test included over 14,000 older adults. An analysis of genomic data using memory performance test was used to identify a specific location in the genome that was associated with better memory performance. According to an International research team, the results obtained can lead to finding new treatments for memory impairments (such as Alzheimer Disease).

                                        From: http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2013/discovering-hippocampal-connections

      This test involved chromosomal manipulation. There were higher performance tests of episodic memory that was associated with the DNA on chromosome 2; specifically the gene involved a G instead of the more common A nucleotide (in the gene called FASTKD2). The single genetic variant nucleotide polymorphism of SNP was found to also have a denser gray matter in the brain and a slightly larger hippocampus. These foundings were brought by Resonance Imaging Scans.

      This is a fantastic stepping stone for research on genetic variants. More research obviously needs to be done to determine whether the drug targeting the FASTKD2 gene can be used to protect against memory loss. But if these findings are verified, Alzheimer Disease can finally have a treatment associated with it.  

Article from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/285378.php
Related article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19863254

Location on Human Genome Now Associated With Memory

With a recent analysis of genomic data and memory test results of over 14,000 older adults a location of the human genome has been identified to relate to better memory performance which was not associated with brain performance before. The gene known as FASTKD2, located on chromosome 2, revealed that better episodic memory resulted from a G nucleotide rather than the common A nucleotide. This change known as a single nucleotide polymorphism was also connected to a larger hippocampus, a brain structure involved with storing and retrieving memory, and increased gray dense matter in the brain on magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Although, there is no claim that this is the gene which is solely responsible for memory but the hopes of this information is that the FASTKD2 gene could be targeted to help those with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. A decline in memory and hippocampal atrophy are two of the main symptoms which are associated with Alzheimer's therefore the correction of those symptoms by targeting the FASTKD2 gene is where research is now heading.

This was especially interesting to me because it is a new, and genetic, solution to attempting to treat Alzheimer's. There have been a lot of suggestions of what can help prevent or prolong the effects of Alzheimer's but now with a new approach there is an attempt to help treat as well. I also just found it intriguing that memory could be found to be associated with a specific gene, although it is not a single gene responsible for memory.
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A New Discovery May Open Doors for Possible Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease

        A group of researchers, led by Andrew J. Saykin, Psy.D and Vijay K. Ramanan, PhD, recently completed the largest genome-wide study of human memory. Andrew J. Saykin, Psy.D is the director of the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center and the Indiana University Center for Neuroimaging. Vijay K. Ramanan is a Indiana University School of Medicine post-doctoratal researcher and a medical student. Together, Saykin and Ramanan, led a research team have identified a gene that they believe is associated with better memory performance and has not previously been associated with cognition. They found this gene as a result of analyzing genomic data and memory test from more than 14,000 older adults.

Andrew J. Saykin, Psy.D

        A change in the DNA on chromosome 2 was found to be linked to better performance on episodic memory test. Usually, a G nucleotide had replaced the more common A nucleotide in the FASTKD2 gene. This single nucleotide polymorphism was also found to be linked to a larger hippocampus and more dense grey matter. The FASTKD2 gene is found in the inner compartment of mitochondria and is responsible for producing an important protein involved in mitochondrial apoptosis.

 

         Since Alzheimer's disease is associated with hippocampal atrophy and the inability to recall recent events, this drug is believed to point the way for drug developments and further studies on memory impairments caused by Alzheimer's disease. "Although the influence of FASTKD2 was modest, there are parallels to research in diabetes, cancer, and hypertension that uncovered genetic variants with similar effects that turned out to be targets for drugs that are now commonly used," Dr. Saykin said.

        This article stood out to me because a couple people close to me had Alzheimer's disease. It's amazing that even though many scientists research the same subject, new discoveries still occur frequently. This FASTKD2 gene should be researched more. Although memory is not controlled by a single gene, this SNP could possibly be the answer to a lot of questions about memory loss. It would be amazing if the FASTKD2 gene led to a drug protecting against memory related issues in Alzheimer's disease.

Main Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141112115934.htm
Related Article: http://news.medicine.iu.edu/releases/2014/11/saykin-memory-snp.shtml