Associations of separate working memory parameters with comt genotypes in Western Siberia

Ain: to evaluate the associations between working memory parameters and Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism of the COMT gene in young adults. Methods: 371 young adults of both sexes 25-44 years old were recruited from population sample of Novosibirsk. The study included 199 (53,6%) men (average age was 36,54 ± 5,67 years) and 172 (46,4%) women (average age was 36,84 ± 5,75 years). Cognitive function were determined by standardized screening methods. Luria’s 10-words test, letter cancellation test (modified Bourdon’s test), and test of excluded of incorrect words (verbal version of the test) with fixing the time for its implementation, as well as animal naming test were used. Genomic DNA was isolated from venous blood by the phenol-chloroform extraction. Genotyping of the Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) of the COMT gene was performed using PCR with RFLP. Results: Statistically significant associations (p < 0,05) between quantity of the animals who are correctly called in 1 minute, with time which was spent for exclution of incorrect words, as well as with the first reproduction of the words memorized immediately in Luria test and Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism of the COMT gene in young adults were revealed. Moreover the quantity of the complaints about the forgetfulness of used phone numbers had significantly higher in the presence of one or two A alleles of the Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene. Conclusion: The allele A of the Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism of the COMT gene, especially in the homozygous state, has a significant association with the working memory parameters of Novosibirsk residents.

оперативная память, тест Лурия, тест называния животных, методика исключения понятий, Val158Met, rs4680, ген COMT, полиморфизм, working memory, Luria’s 10-words test, animal naming test, test of excluded of incorrect words, Val158Met, rs4680, COMT gene, polymorphism