Affiliations: [a] State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| [b]
BABRI Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| [c]
Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| [d]
Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| [e]
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Zhanjun Zhang, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai St, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, China. Tel.: +86 10 58802005; Fax: +86 10 58802005; E-mail: zhang_rzs@bnu.edu.cn and Xiaochun Chen, Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian, China. E-mail: chenxc998@fjmu.edu.cn.
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract: Background:Language ability differs between the sexes. However, it is unclear how this sex difference is moderated by genetic factors and how the brain interacts with genetics to support this specific language capacity. Previous studies have demonstrated that the sorting protein-related receptor (SORL1) polymorphism influences cognitive function and brain structure differently in males and females and is associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk. Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sex and the SORL1 rs1699102 (CC versus T carriers) genotype on language. Methods:103 non-demented Chinese older adults from Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) database were included in this study. Participants completed language tests, T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI. Language test performance, gray matter volume, and network connections were compared between genotype and sex groups. Results:The rs1699102 polymorphism moderated the effects of sex on language performance, with the female having reversed language advantages in T carriers. The T allele carriers had lower gray matter volume in the left precentral gyrus. The effect of sex on language network connections was moderated by rs1699102; male CC homozygotes and female T carriers had higher internetwork connections, which were negatively correlated with language performance. Conclusion:These results suggest that SORL1 moderates the effects of sex on language, with T being a risk allele, especially in females. Our findings underscore the importance of considering the influence of genetic factors when examining sex effects.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, functional connectivity, language network, rs1699102, sex, SORL1
