Effect of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on normal variability of executive functions

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2012 Mar;152(5):606-9. doi: 10.1007/s10517-012-1587-x.
[Article in English, Russian]

Abstract

Associations of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with such components of executive functions as verbal fluency, working memory, attention set shifting, and response inhibition were evaluated. A total of 401 healthy volunteers were genotyped. The effect of polymorphism on working memory during the counting test was detected. The test performance in heterozygotic carriers was much worse than in homozygotic ones. Individuals with the MetMet genotype demonstrated the best results, presumably due to molecular mechanisms compensating for the neuropeptide secretion deficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attention / physiology
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
  • Executive Function / physiology*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Methionine / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Stroop Test
  • Valine / genetics

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Methionine
  • Valine