MEF2C mRNA expression and cognitive function in Japanese patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

Despite continuing research into Alzheimer's disease (AD), its pathological mechanisms and modulating factors remain unknown. Several genes influence AD pathogenesis by affecting inflammatory pathways. Myocyte-enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) is one such candidate gene for AD. We examined MEF2C mRNA expression levels and methylation rates of CpG on its promoter region in peripheral leukocytes from Japanese AD patients compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects. In peripheral leukocytes, MEF2C mRNA expression levels in AD subjects were significantly lower than those in control subjects (0.86 ± 0.25 vs 0.99 ± 0.27, respectively, P = 0.007) and were correlated with the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (r = -0.345, P = 0.049) and the Mini Mental State Examination (r = 0.324, P = 0.02). No significant differences were found in methylation rates between AD and control subjects. MEF2C mRNA expression in leukocytes may be a biological marker for cognitive decline in AD.