Glucocorticoid receptor variant and risk of dementia and white, matter lesions

Liesbeth van Rossum, Frank jan de Jong, Frans Koper, André Uitterlinden, Niels Prins, EJ van Dijk, Peter Koudstaal, Bert Hofman, Frank Jong, S.W.J. Lamberts, Monique Breteler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Elevated glucocorticoid levels are associated with dementia. A glucocorticoid receptor gene variant (ER22/23EK) is related to relative glucocorticoid resistance. We investigated whether the ER22/23EK allele is associated with dementia and structural brain abnormalities. Methods: This study was performed in two prospective population-based cohort studies among elderly. The first study included 6034 participants who were screened for dementia (mean follow-up 5.8 years). The second study included 1011 elderly subjects with an MRI at baseline and follow-up. The ER22/23EK allele was assessed for association with dementia, cognitive function and white matter lesions. Results: The ER22/23EK allele was associated with a decreased risk of dementia. Among non-demented participants, ER22/23EK-caniers had a better performance on psychomotor speed tests than non-carriers. No differences were found in memory function between genotypes. In addition, both presence and progression of white matter lesions was lower in ER22/23EK-carriers. No association was found with brain atrophy on MRI. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a protective effect of the ER22/23EK allele on the risk of dementia and white matter lesions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)716-723
Number of pages8
JournalNeurobiology of Aging
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Research programs

  • EMC MM-01-39-01
  • EMC MM-01-39-02
  • EMC MM-01-39-04
  • EMC NIHES-01-64-01

Cite this