Effects of LOX-1 gene G501C variation on brain structural changes and cognitive function in patients with white matter hyperintensities
10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000–1492.2026.03.024
- VernacularTitle:LOX-1基因G501C变异对脑白质高信号患者脑结构变化及认知功能的影响
- Author:
Yajun ZHOU
1
;
Shujian CHEN
1
;
Zhixin WANG
1
;
Yayu WANG
1
;
Chaojuan HUANG
1
;
Xia ZHOU
1
;
Xiaoqun ZHU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology， The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University， Hefei 230022
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
LOX-1;
G501C gene polymorphism;
thalamic volume;
white matter hyperintensities;
cognitive function;
mediation analysis
- From:
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui
2026;61(3):562-568
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 （LOX-1） gene G501C on brain structure and cognitive function in patients with white matter hyperintensities （WMH）. MethodsA total of 118 patients with WMH were enrolled. All participants underwent T1-weighted and T2-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery （T2-FLAIR） MRI to assess gray matter structure and WMH burden， and completed the mini-mental state examination （MMSE） and Montreal cognitive assessment （MoCA）. Partial correlation and mediation analyses were performed to explore the impact of LOX-1 polymorphism on cognitive function. ResultsParticipants were divided into GG+GC group （n = 35） and CC group （n = 83）. The GG+GC group showed lower MMSE and MoCA scores （MMSE： P=0.003； MOCA： P=0.015）， as well as greater WMH burden （all P0.001）， compared with the CC group. Voxel-based morphometry （VBM） analysis revealed reduced left thalamic volume in the GG+GC group， which was correlated with cognitive scores （all P0.05）. Subregional thalamic analysis further showed volume reductions in the lateral， ventral， medial， and pulvinar thalamic regions （all P0.05） in the GG+GC group， all positively associated with cognitive performance （all P0.05）. Mediation analyses indicated that volumes of the medial and pulvinar thalamic regions mediated the association between genotype and cognitive function （MMSE， MoCA）， and that WMH volume mediated the effect on MoCA scores. ConclusionThe LOX-1 G501C polymorphism may indirectly affect cognitive function by influencing specific thalamic subregional volumes and white matter damage， suggesting a potential mediating role of thalamic structures between genetic background and cognitive impairment.
