The heterozygous human Klotho KL-VS haplotype has been associated with improved cognitive performance but results are inconsistent. Here we assessed Klotho KL-VS haplotype and cognition using data from the third examination of the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. We analyzed cognition tests (immediate and delayed word list, Trail-Making Test [TMT] part A and B, Maze test, interference condition of the Stroop color-word test, verbal fluency) and their associations with Klotho KL-VS haplotype. The Klotho KL-VS haplotype is classified by the V-allele at SNP rs9536314 (F352V) and the S-allele at SNP rs9527025 (C370S). Heterozygotes for the KL-VS haplotype were compared with non-carriers. Analyses were performed in 1812 subjects (55-87 years). We found consistent but only slightly lower performance in heterozygous carriers of the KL-VS haplotype in all tasks with Z-scores ranging between Z = - 0.042 (verbal fluency) and - 0.17 (TMT part A). Differences between carriers and non-carriers were similar for men and women for all tests but TMT part B (interaction contrast = 8.4 s (95% CI - 2.3; 19.1)). While cognition declined with age, we found an effect modification by age (55-65 years, 66-75 years, > 75 years). In the 66-75 years KL-VS heterozygous age group, lower performance was seen in memory, visual attention and motor speed. Contrary to our hypothesis, heterozygous carriers of the KL-VS haplotype did not show enhanced performance in cognitive tests in our study.
Institute(s)Institute of Asthma and Allergy Prevention (IAP)
GrantsHeinz Nixdorf Foundation German Research Council (DFG) German Ministry of Education and Science [BMBF] Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology, North Rhine-Westphalia (MIWFT-NRW) Janssen Merck KG Philips ResMed Foundation Roche Diagnostics Sarstedt AGCo Siemens HealthCare Diagnostics Volkswagen Foundation Imatron/GE-Imatron Celgene GmbH Munchen Dr. Werner-Jackstadt Stiftung Else Kroner-Fresenius-Stiftung German Social Accident Insurance [DGUV] Competence Network for HIV/AIDS IFORES of the University Duisburg-Essen European Union German Competence Network Heart Failure Kulturstiftung Essen Protein Research Unit within Europe (PURE) Projekt DEAL