Re: Another small piece in the puzzle

From: Philip Jonkers (philosophimur@dygo.com)
Date: Mon 27 Jan 2003 - 13:01:35 GMT

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    Interesting, yes. Unfortunately the researchers do not elaborate about the possible positive effects this "met" genetic variant has for its owner. Let's speculate for a second. On examining the one graph presented in the article I am tempted to infer that the "met" variant is sort of recessive (carrying only one "met" gene doesn't seem to have a large memory impairing effect, but two however does). If that is the case it may be that the "met" variant is simply tolerated in the gene pool, because due to its recessive nature its actual memory impairing effect does not show up that often and it is 'allowed' to survive in the gene pool precisely of its recessive (read latent) nature. Or, it may indeed be that the "met" gene confers somekind of yet unknown positive function that compensates for its memory impairing effect. This issue, of course, remains to be explored. Comments, suggestions anybody?

    Phil

    >http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2003/nimh-23.htm
    >
    >>NIH scientists have shown that a common gene variant influences memory for
    >>events in humans by altering a growth factor in the brain's memory hub. On
    >>average, people with a particular version of the gene that codes for brain
    >>derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) performed worse on tests of episodic
    >>memory ? tasks like recalling what happened yesterday. They also showed
    >>differences in activation of the hippocampus, a brain area known to
    >>mediate memory, and signs of decreased neuronal health and
    >>interconnections. These effects are likely traceable to limited movement
    >>and secretion of BDNF within cells, according to the study, which reveals
    >>how a gene affects the normal range of human memory, and confirms that
    >>BDNF affects human hippocampal function much as it does animals'.
    >
    >
    >
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