As the most common neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and is a major threat to the health of elderly worldwide. Aside from its pathogenesis, delineation of the protective mechanism of AD is also critical for the etiological treatment. AD resilience refers to a protective mechanism which can maintain the cognitive intactness of patients despite of genetic risk factors and/or related pathology. Studies on the genetic mechanism of AD resilience are of great importance for revealing novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets, as well as optimizing polygenic risk score which can facilitate early identification and intervention for individuals at risk.
Aged ; Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Cognitive Dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) is an important factor leading to cognitive impairment, and the mechanism has not been clarified. In recent years, studies have found that circular RNA (circRNA) has differential expression in cerebrovascular diseases. This study aims to analyze the expression profile of circRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of patients with WMH with cognitive impairment, to screen the differentially expressed circRNA, and to explore the possible role of circRNA in WMH with cognitive impairment. METHODS: CircRNA microarray was used to detect the circRNA expression profile of PBMC in patients with WMH with cognitive impairment, and in patients with WMH without cognitive impairment as well as in normal controls (3 cases each, male to female ratio of 2꞉1). The differentially expressed circRNA in patients with WMH with cognitive impairment was screened. The screening criteria for differentially expressed circRNA was fold change (FC) ≥2.0 (|log RESULTS: Compared with the control group, there were 5 significantly up-regulated circRNA and 3 down-regulated circRNA in the WMH with cognitive impairment group; 8 circRNA were significantly up-regulated and 2 were down-regulated in the WMH without cognitive impairment group. When compared with the WMH with cognitive impairment group, no co-differentially expressed circRNA was found in WMH without cognitive impairment group and control group. Compared with the control group, the expression of hsa_circ_0092222 was up-regulated and the expressions of hsa_circ_0000662 and hsa_circ_0083773 were down-regulated in the WMH with cognitive impairment group and the WMH without cognitive impairment group, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (all CONCLUSIONS The circRNA expression profile of patients with WMH is changed significantly. The differentially expressed circRNA may be the cause of WMH; Hsa_circ_0092222, hsa_circ_0000662, and hsa_circ_0083773 may regulate the expression of target genes by targeting adsorption of the target miRNA, leading to brain white matter damage through Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3) signal pathway and Wnt signal pathway.There is no significant difference in circRNA expression profile between WMH with or without cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment in patients with WMH may have other reasons.
Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; RNA/genetics* ; RNA, Circular ; Software ; White Matter

Objective: To understand the distribution characteristics of age of Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset and influencing factors. Methods: Based on the follow-up data of Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative from 2005 to 2022, participants with normal cognition (CN) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at baseline survey, and those with progression to AD during follow-up period were selected as study subjects. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to explore the associations of gender, race, number of ApoE ε4 genes carried, family history, years of education and marital status with the age of AD onset. Results: A total of 405 participants, with an average age of (74.0±6.9) years at baseline survey, progressed to AD during follow up period. The age of AD onset was (76.6±7.5) years, and age of onset in men was about 1.9 years later than women. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that for each increase in ApoE ε4 gene number, the age of AD onset was about 0.344 years earlier. The age of AD onset was 4.007 years earlier for those with MCI at baseline survey compared with those with CN. Years of education were not significantly associated with the age of onset of AD (P>0.05). Conclusion: Those who carry ApoE ε4 gene, and have MCI at baseline survey might have earlier age of AD onset.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Apolipoprotein E4/genetics* ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics*

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a typical cognitive disorder with an increasing incidence in recent years. AD is also one of the main causes of disability and death of the elderly in current aging society. One of the most common symptoms of AD is spatial memory impairment, which occurs in more than 60% of patients. This memory loss is closely related to the impairment of cognitive maps in the brain. The entorhinal grid cells and the hippocampal place cells are important cellular basis for spatial memory and navigation functions in the brain. Understanding the abnormal firing pattern of these neurons and their impaired coordination to neural oscillations in transgenic rodents is crucial for identifying the therapeutic targets for AD. In this article, we review recent studies on neural activity based on transgenic rodent models of AD, with a focus on the changes in the firing characteristics of neurons and the abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythm in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. We also discuss potential cell-network mechanism of spatial memory disorders caused by AD, so as to provide a scientific basis for the diagnosis and treatment of AD in the future.
Animals ; Mice ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; Hippocampus/physiology* ; Memory Disorders ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neurons/physiology*

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of cognitive impairment and clinical symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia with the Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene.

METHODSFor 87 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 76 healthy controls, the Val66Met polymorphism was determined with a Taqman Assay-on-Demand method. Wechsler intelligence test was carried out for all participants. Correlation of cognitive impairment with clinical severity was also analyzed.

RESULTSThe patients were significantly lower in total IQ, verbal IQ and performance IQ compared to the controls. The lower total IQ (F=4.59, P= 0.01) and verbal IQ (F=4.44, P=0.01) were influenced by genetic factors and diagnostic interaction. The vertal IQ of Val/Val patients was significantly lower than those of Val/Met and Met/Met carriers. For the control group, the verbal IQ of Met/Met carriers was lower than that of Val/Met carriers, and the total IQ of Met/Met carriers was lower than those of Val/Met and Val/Val carriers. For the patient group, the total IQ of Val/Val carriers was negatively correlated with positive symptoms (r=-0.65, P=0.03) and thought disorders (r=-0.61, P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONCognitive impairment in first-episode schizophrenic patients is associated with the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene, and has an important clinical relevance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Young Adult

Adult ; China ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; genetics ; Electric Power Supplies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Power Plants ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Serotonin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of icariin (ICA) on the cognitive impairment induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice and the underlying mechanisms related to changes in hippocampal acetylation level.

METHODSThe modifified free-fall method was used to establish the TBI mouse model. Mice with post-TBI cognitive impairment were randomly divided into 3 groups using the randomised block method (n=7): TBI (vehicle-treated), low-dose (75 mg/kg) and high-dose (150 mg/kg) of ICA groups. An additional sham-operated group (vehicle-treated) was employed. The vehicle or ICA was administrated by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted. Acetylcholine (ACh) content, mRNA and protein levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and protein levels of acetylated H3 (Ac-H3) and Ac-H4 were detected in the hippocampus.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operated group, the MWM performance, hippocampal ACh content, mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, and protein levels of Ac-H3 and Ac-H4 were signifificantly decreased in the TBI group (P<0.05). High-dose of ICA signifificantly ameliorated the TBI-induced weak MWM performance, increased hippocampal ACh content, and mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, as well as Ac-H3 protein level compared with the TBI group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONICA improved post-TBI cognitive impairment in mice by enhancing hippocampal acetylation, which improved hippocampal cholinergic function and ultimately improved cognition.

Acetylation ; Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; complications ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Histones ; metabolism ; Homeostasis ; drug effects ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

In this study, the distribution of five Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Han population was examined in combination with the evaluation of clinical cognition and brain pathological analysis. The associations among SNPs, clinical daily cognitive states, and postmortem neuropathological changes were analyzed in 110 human brains from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College (CAMS/PUMC) Human Brain Bank. APOE ε4 (OR = 4.482, P = 0.004), the RS2305421 GG genotype (adjusted OR = 4.397, P = 0.015), and the RS10498633 GT genotype (adjusted OR = 2.375, P = 0.028) were associated with a higher score on the ABC (Aβ plaque score, Braak NFT stage, and CERAD neuritic plaque score) dementia scale. These results advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of AD, the relationship between pathological diagnosis and clinical diagnosis, and the SNPs in the Han population for future research.
ADAM10 Protein ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; pathology ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; genetics ; Antiporters ; genetics ; Apolipoprotein E4 ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Brain ; pathology ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) Apa I, Bsm I genotypes and allele frequencies and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among elderly ethnic Uygurs from Xinjiang, China.

METHODSThe polymorphisms of the VDR genotypes (Apa I and Bsm I) were analyzed by the SNaPshot method in 124 MCI patients and 124 controls.

RESULTSFactors which can increase the risk for MCI have included the A allele of the Apa I polymorphism [OR=1.62, 95%CI(1.13-2.31)] and the AA genotype [OR=3.49, 95% CI(1.57-7.74)], the T allele of the Bsm I polymorphism [OR=1.94, 95%CI(1.24-3.05)], higher triglyceride and systolic blood pressure levels.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms of the VDR gene including the A allele and AA genotype of Apa I, and the T allele of Bsm I are probably associated with MCI among elderly ethnic Uygurs, and so are higher levels of triglyceride and systolic blood pressure.

Aged ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Binding Sites ; genetics ; Blood Pressure ; China ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; ethnology ; genetics ; psychology ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; metabolism ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; ethnology ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Triglycerides ; blood