Open AccessAssociation of CHRNA4 polymorphism with depression and loneliness in elderly males
Author(s) -
Tsai S.J.,
Yeh H.L.,
Hong C.J.,
Liou Y.J.,
Yang A. C.,
Liu M.E.,
Hwang J.P.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
genes, brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1601-183X
pISSN - 1601-1848
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2011.00741.x
Subject(s) - loneliness , nicotinic acetylcholine receptor , genotype , psychology , allele , mood , cognition , dementia , cholinergic , clinical psychology , genetics , medicine , biology , acetylcholine receptor , receptor , psychiatry , gene , neuroscience , disease
The cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4 ( CHRNA4 ) gene encodes the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha‐4 subunit. Recent research has shown that a variation in CHRNA4 (rs1044396) affects attention and negative emotionality in normal adults. To determine the link between CHRNA4 variation and cognitive function/depressed mood, this study conducted a genotype–phenotype correlation analysis between the common CHRNA4 :rs1044396 variant and several baseline parameters of cognition and depressed mood in 192 elderly male subjects without major psychiatric disorders or dementia. Study findings identified a significant link between the CHRNA4 :rs1044396 polymorphism and depression and loneliness in the aged. Compared to carriers of at least one T‐allele, carriers of the homozygous C/C genotype described themselves as more depressed and lonely. This is the first evidence which may implicate CHRNA4 in depressed emotions in the elderly.
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