Effects of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and met allele load on declarative memory related neural networks

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and met allele load on declarative memory related neural networks

AU - Dodds, Chris M

AU - Henson, Richard N

AU - Suckling, John

AU - Miskowiak, Kamilla W

AU - Ooi, Cinly

AU - Tait, Roger

AU - Soltesz, Fruzsina

AU - Lawrence, Phil

AU - Bentley, Graham

AU - Maltby, Kay

AU - Skeggs, Andrew

AU - Miller, Sam R

AU - McHugh, Simon

AU - Bullmore, Edward T

AU - Nathan, Pradeep J

PY - 2013/11/11

Y1 - 2013/11/11

N2 - It has been suggested that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates episodic memory performance via effects on hippocampal neural circuitry. However, fMRI studies have yielded inconsistent results in this respect. Moreover, very few studies have examined the effect of met allele load on activation of memory circuitry. In the present study, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of the effects of the BDNF polymorphism on brain responses during episodic memory encoding and retrieval, including an investigation of the effect of met allele load on memory related activation in the medial temporal lobe. In contrast to previous studies, we found no evidence for an effect of BDNF genotype or met load during episodic memory encoding. Met allele carriers showed increased activation during successful retrieval in right hippocampus but this was contrast-specific and unaffected by met allele load. These results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism does not, as previously claimed, exert an observable effect on neural systems underlying encoding of new information into episodic memory but may exert a subtle effect on the efficiency with which such information can be retrieved.

AB - It has been suggested that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates episodic memory performance via effects on hippocampal neural circuitry. However, fMRI studies have yielded inconsistent results in this respect. Moreover, very few studies have examined the effect of met allele load on activation of memory circuitry. In the present study, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of the effects of the BDNF polymorphism on brain responses during episodic memory encoding and retrieval, including an investigation of the effect of met allele load on memory related activation in the medial temporal lobe. In contrast to previous studies, we found no evidence for an effect of BDNF genotype or met load during episodic memory encoding. Met allele carriers showed increased activation during successful retrieval in right hippocampus but this was contrast-specific and unaffected by met allele load. These results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism does not, as previously claimed, exert an observable effect on neural systems underlying encoding of new information into episodic memory but may exert a subtle effect on the efficiency with which such information can be retrieved.

KW - Adult

KW - Alleles

KW - Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

KW - Double-Blind Method

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Memory, Episodic

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Nerve Net

KW - Polymorphism, Genetic

KW - Clinical Trial

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0074133

DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0074133

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 24244264

SN - 1932-6203

VL - 8

SP - e74133

JO - PLoS Computational Biology

JF - PLoS Computational Biology

IS - 11

ER -