The genetics of neurocognition
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The genetics of neurocognition
IRAS ID
141703
Contact name
Anna Need
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
14/LO/0671, Camden & Islington REC
Research summary
Many brain disorders such as dementia, autism, learning difficulties and schizophrenia negatively impact cognitive abilities, and this substantially reduces patients’ quality of life and imposes a significant burden upon society. This study seeks to improve the understanding of the biological pathways underlying neurocognitive processes by applying modern genetic techniques to individuals and families that have exceptional cognitive abilities (ECA) and specific cognitive impairments (SCI).
We know that cognitive abilities are highly heritable, and that small differences in DNA can cause differences in our anatomy and physiology. Changes in DNA can cause altered brain function and may manifest as a neurological or psychiatric disease. However, changes in DNA are not always detrimental. For instance, mutations in the myostatin gene in humans have been reported to cause extraordinary strength, and man-made mutations in mice have been shown to improve cognition. It is possible that changes in a person’s DNA may cause ECA rather than a cognitive impairment. ECA can take a variety of forms; one example would be a person with extreme mathematical ability. Most previous studies have just focused only upon people who have impaired cognition. However, in this study we will search for DNA changes that result in an ECA as well as changes that cause SCI.We will recruit participants that have either an ECA or SCI, and also their family members. We will then analyse the DNA from families in which a single genetic variant is likely to account for the altered cognition to identify the DNA changes that may be responsible. We will then study the genes involved to gain an understanding of the biological pathways. This knowledge will hopefully enable the discovery of novel therapies to improve the quality of life for patients who suffer from brain disorders.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1417
Date of REC Opinion
16 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Unfavourable Opinion