Abstract
An association between blood markers of thrombosis and haemostasis and cognitive decline has been described. These results may be confounded by lifestyle and environmental factors. We used a Mendelian randomisation approach to describe the association between thrombosis/haemostasis genotypes and cognition. We studied the genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms) of circulating markers of thrombosis and haemostasis. Our chosen blood factors and associated polymorphisms were D-dimer [rs12029080], fibrinogen [rs1800789], plasminogen activator inhibitor [rs2227631], and von Willebrand factor [rs1063857]. We described association with multidomain cognitive test scores using data from the Scottish Family Health Study. Cognitive data were analysed for individual tests and combined to give a general cognitive factor. In 20,288 subjects, we found no evidence of association between cognitive function (individual tests and combined scores) and any of the above-mentioned single nucleotide polymorphisms. Lower scores on cognitive measures were associated with increasing age, socioeconomic deprivation, blood pressure, waist-hip ratio, smoking, and vascular comorbidity (all p < 0.001). In a post hoc sensitivity analysis restricted to those aged over 50 years, there was still no signal of association. Our data add to our understanding of determinants of cognition but are not definitive; the variation in blood levels explained by SNPs was modest and our sample size may have been insufficient to detect a modest association.
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Acknowledgments
Dr. Quinn designed the research study, assisted with analysis and drafted the manuscript.
Dr. Alghamdi assisted with genotyping and drafting of the manuscript.
Prof Padmanabhan, Porteus, Smith and Hocking assisted with collection and processing of samples.
Prof Deary, Gallacher and Stott assisted with supervision, analysis of cognitive data, interpretation of data and drafting of the manuscript.
Dr. Messow performed the statistical analyses and assisted with drafting of the manuscript.
Sources of funding
This work was supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences, UK.
Generation Scotland received core funding from the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates CZD/16/6 and the Scottish Funding Council HR03006.
Dr. Quinn is supported by a joint Stroke Association / Chief Scientist Office Senior Clinical Lectureship.
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Quinn, T.J., Alghamdi, J., Padmanabhan, S. et al. Association between cognition and gene polymorphisms involved in thrombosis and haemostasis. AGE 37, 80 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-015-9820-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-015-9820-y