We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The prion gene is associated with human long-term memory.
- Authors
Papassotiropoulos, Andreas; Wollmer, M Axel; Aguzzi, Adriano; Hock, Christoph; Nitsch, Roger M; de Quervain, Dominique J-F
- Abstract
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.
- Publication
Human molecular genetics, 2005, Vol 14, Issue 15, p2241
- ISSN
0964-6906
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1093/hmg/ddi228