Document Detail


Human intelligence and polymorphisms in the DNA methyltransferase genes involved in epigenetic marking.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20593030     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in syndromes associated with mental impairment but little is known about the role of epigenetics in determining the normal variation in human intelligence. We measured polymorphisms in four DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B and DNMT3L) involved in epigenetic marking and related these to childhood and adult general intelligence in a population (n = 1542) consisting of two Scottish cohorts born in 1936 and residing in Lothian (n = 1075) or Aberdeen (n = 467). All subjects had taken the same test of intelligence at age 11yrs. The Lothian cohort took the test again at age 70yrs. The minor T allele of DNMT3L SNP 11330C>T (rs7354779) allele was associated with a higher standardised childhood intelligence score; greatest effect in the dominant analysis but also significant in the additive model (coefficient = 1.40(additive); 95%CI 0.22,2.59; p = 0.020 and 1.99(dominant); 95%CI 0.55,3.43; p = 0.007). The DNMT3L C allele was associated with an increased risk of being below average intelligence (OR 1.25(additive); 95%CI 1.05,1.51; p = 0.011 and OR 1.37(dominant); 95%CI 1.11,1.68; p = 0.003), and being in the lowest 40(th) (p(additive) = 0.009; p(dominant) = 0.002) and lowest 30(th) (p(additive) = 0.004; p(dominant) = 0.002) centiles for intelligence. After Bonferroni correction for the number variants tested the link between DNMT3L 11330C>T and childhood intelligence remained significant by linear regression and centile analysis; only the additive regression model was borderline significant. Adult intelligence was similarly linked to the DNMT3L variant but this analysis was limited by the numbers studied and nature of the test and the association was not significant after Bonferroni correction. We believe that the role of epigenetics in the normal variation in human intelligence merits further study and that this novel finding should be tested in other cohorts.
Authors:
Paul Haggarty; Gwen Hoad; Sarah E Harris; John M Starr; Helen C Fox; Ian J Deary; Lawrence J Whalley
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2010-06-25
Journal Detail:
Title:  PloS one     Volume:  5     ISSN:  1932-6203     ISO Abbreviation:  PLoS ONE     Publication Date:  2010  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-07-01     Completed Date:  2010-09-01     Revised Date:  2010-09-28    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101285081     Medline TA:  PLoS One     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  e11329     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Epigenetics Group, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. p.haggarty@abdn.ac.uk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Alleles
Cohort Studies
DNA Methylation
DNA Modification Methylases / genetics*
Epigenesis, Genetic*
Humans
Intelligence / genetics*
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; //Medical Research Council
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
EC 2.1.1.-/DNA Modification Methylases
Comments/Corrections

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