Ningnannan Zhang PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Qiuhui Wang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Zhang Zhang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chun-Shui Yu, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Recent research has suggested that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with KIBRA rs17070145 polymorphism, in addition to the hallmark risk gene ApoE ε4. The effects of the polymorphism in the KIBRA or ApoE gene on brain function has been documented separately in AD and aging brain, while the interaction effect of the two has not been well studied. We investigated the main and interaction effects of these genetic variants on the resting-state fMRI using functional connectivity density (FCD).

A total of 267 young healthy subjects (22.8±2.4 years old; 149 women) were included. MR images were acquired using a Signa HDx 3.0 Tesla MR scanner (General Electric, Milwaukee, WI, USA). Resting-state fMRI data were obtained using the Single-Shot Echo-Planar Imaging (SS-EPI, TR/TE = 2000/30 ms; FOV = 240 mm × 240 mm; matrix = 64 × 64; FA = 90°, slice thickness = 4 mm; no gap; 40 interleaved transversal slices; 180 volumes). The global FCD (gFCD) was calculated by using a voxel-wise data-driven approach in the home made script. Both the main and interaction effect of genotype were calculated and compared using a full factorial analysis of covariance.

The main effect of KIBRA gene was in the superior occipital cortex, but no significant main effect of ApoE genotype was found. Significant KIBRA and ApoE interaction effect was found in the gFCD of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Post hoc tests showed a nonlinear relationship between the KIBRA and ApoE genotypic subgroups on gFCD.

Our results suggest that KIBRA and ApoE risk genotypes in healthy young subjects exert differential impacts on the bilateral DLPFC, which is may sustain attention and working memory. The complex interactions between KIBRA and ApoE should be considered when investigating the impact of these two genetic variants on the brain.

Comprehensive understanding of the KIBRA and ApoE genetic variants may provide additional information for AD early diagnosis.

Zhang, N, Wang, Q, Zhang, Z, Yu, C, Impacts of KIBRA and ApoE Variants Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease on the Functional Connectivity Density in Healthy Young Adults.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14001097.html