Genetic effects and gene-by-education interactions on episodic memory performance and decline in an aging population.

ABSTRACT: Both social and genetic factors contribute to cognitive impairment and decline, yet genetic factors identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) explain only a small portion of trait variability. This "missing heritability" may be due to rare, potentially functional, genetic variants not assessed by GWAS, as well as gene-by-social factor interactions not explicitly modeled. Gene-by-social factor interactions may also operate differently across race/ethnic groups. We selected 39 genes that had significant, replicated associations with cognition, dementia, and related traits in published GWAS. Using gene-based analysis (SKAT/iSKAT), we tested whether common and/or rare variants were associated with episodic memory performance and decline either alone or through interaction with

SUBMITTER: Smith JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6510651 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature