Abstract
BackgroundIn order to retrieve episodic past events, the missing information needs to be reconstructed using information stored in semantic memory. Failures in these reconstructive processes are expressed as false memories. KIBRA single nucleotide polymorphism (rs17070145) has been linked to episodic memory performance as well as an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).MethodsHere, the role of KIBRA rs17070145 polymorphism (male and female CC vs. CT/TT carriers) in reconstructive episodic memory in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm was investigated in N = 219 healthy individuals.ResultsFemale participants outperformed males in the free recall condition. Furthermore, a trend towards a gender x genotype interaction was found for false recognition rates. Female CT/TT carriers exhibited a lower proportion of false recognition rates for associated critical lures as compared to male CT/TT. Additionally, an association between KIBRA rs17070145 genotype, familiarity and recollection based recognition performance was found. In trials with correct recognition of listed items CT/TT carriers showed more “remember”, but fewer “know” responses as compared to CC carriers.Discussion and conclusionOur findings suggest that the T-allele of KIBRA rs17070145 supports recollection based episodic memory retrieval and contributes to memory accuracy in a gender dependent manner. Findings are discussed in the context of the specific contribution of KIBRA related SNPs to reconstructive episodic memory and its implications for cognitive and emotional symptoms in dementia and PTSD.
Highlights
In order to retrieve episodic past events, the missing information needs to be reconstructed using information stored in semantic memory
For the KIBRA polymorphism, 97 subjects were homozygous for the C allele, 26 for the T allele, while 84 subjects were heterozygous for the C/T alleles
Female CT/TT carriers exhibited a lower proportion of false recognition rates as compared to male CT/TT carriers and a tendency to be less prone to false recognition of critical lures than female CC carriers
Summary
In order to retrieve episodic past events, the missing information needs to be reconstructed using information stored in semantic memory. Failures in these reconstructive processes are expressed as false memories. Genetic variability seems to play a prominent role in the inter-individual variation in episodic memory performance (Volk et al, 2006). A genome-wide association study identified KIBRA as a potential candidate gene that is associated with the encoding and retrieval of episodic memories (Papassotiropoulos & de Quervain, 2011). Imaging studies suggest that the genetic variation in KIBRA rs17070145 is related to differences in patterns of brain activation during episodic retrieval, in the hippocampal/medial temporal lobe region (Papassotiropoulos et al, 2006; Kauppi et al, 2011)
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