Open AccessCommon variants in the ARC gene are not associated with cognitive abilities
Author(s) -
Myrum Craig,
Giddaluru Sudheer,
Jacobsen Kaya,
Espeseth Thomas,
Nyberg Lars,
Lundervold Astri J.,
Haavik Jan,
Nilsson LarsGöran,
Reinvang Ivar,
Steen Vidar M.,
Johansson Stefan,
Wibrand Karin,
Le Hellard Stephanie,
Bramham Clive R.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.376
Subject(s) - genome wide association study , arc (geometry) , cognition , genetic association , single nucleotide polymorphism , psychology , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , candidate gene , biology , neuroscience , genetics , gene , genotype , geometry , mathematics
The Activity‐Regulated Cytoskeleton‐associated ( ARC ) gene encodes a protein that is critical for the consolidation of synaptic plasticity and long‐term memory formation. Given ARC 's key role in synaptic plasticity, we hypothesized that genetic variations in ARC may contribute to interindividual variability in human cognitive abilities or to attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) susceptibility, where cognitive impairment often accompanies the disorder. Methods We tested whether ARC variants are associated with six measures of cognitive functioning in 670 healthy subjects in the Norwegian Cognitive NeuroGenetics ( NCNG ) by extracting data from its Genome‐Wide Association Study ( GWAS ). In addition, the Swedish Betula sample of 1800 healthy subjects who underwent similar cognitive testing was also tested for association with 19 tag SNP s. Results No ARC variants show association at the study‐wide level, but several markers show a trend toward association with human cognitive functions. We also tested for association between ARC SNP s and ADHD in a Norwegian sample of cases and controls, but found no significant associations. Conclusion This study suggests that common genetic variants located in ARC do not account for variance in human cognitive abilities, though small effects cannot be ruled out.