AUTHOR=Arnold Carina , Schulte Claudia , Moscovich Mariana , Sünkel Ulrike , Zaunbrecher Laura , Metzger Florian , Gasser Thomas , Eschweiler Gerhard W. , Hauser Ann-Kathrin , Berg Daniela , Maetzler Walter 

TITLE=Cholinergic Pathway SNPs and Postural Control in 477 Older Adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2018.00260

DOI=10.3389/fnagi.2018.00260

ISSN=1663-4365

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cholinergic system and quantitative parameters of postural control are associated in healthy older adults. This is a cross-sectional analysis from the TREND study.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> All participants performed a static postural control task for 30 s on a foam pad in semitandem stance and eyes closed. We analyzed mean power frequency (MPF), area, acceleration, jerk, and velocity from a mobile sensor worn at the lower back using a validated algorithm. Genotypes of four SNPs in genes involved in the cholinergic system (<italic>SLC5A7, CHAT, BCHE, CHRNA4</italic>) were extracted from the NeuroX chip. All participants present a normal neurological examination and a Minimental state examination score &gt;24.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Four hundred and seventy seven participants were included. Mean age was 69 years, 41% were female. One SNP of the cholinergic pathway was significantly associated with a quantitative postural control parameter. The minor allele of rs6542746 in <italic>SLC5A7</italic> was associated with lower MPF (4.04 vs. 4.22 Hz; <italic>p</italic> = 3.91 × 10<sup>-4</sup>). Moreover, the following associations showed trends toward significance: minor allele of rs6542746 in <italic>SLC5A7</italic> with higher anteroposterior acceleration (318 vs. 287 mG; <italic>p</italic> = 0.005), and minor allele of rs3810950 in <italic>CHAT</italic> with higher mediolateral acceleration [1.77 vs. 1.65 log(mG); <italic>p</italic> = 0.03] and velocity [1.83 vs. 1.74 log(mm/s); <italic>p</italic> = 0.019]. Intraindividual occurrence of rs6542746 and rs3810950 minor alleles was dose-dependently related with lower MPF (<italic>p</italic> = 0.004).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> This observational study suggests an influence of SNPs of the cholinergic pathway on postural control in older adults.</p>