TY - JOUR

T1 - The Effect of the STin2VNTR Polymorphism of the Serotonin Transporter Gene on the Background EEG in Elderly Subjects Depends on the Intellectual Environment of Professional Activity

AU - Privodnova, E. Yu

AU - Volf, N. V.

PY - 2025/3/7

Y1 - 2025/3/7

N2 - Our previous work showed that associations between the STin2VNTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene and cognitive characteristics in aging depend on the intellectual environment of professional activity. In continuation, the present study investigated the age-related characteristics of the electrical activity of the brain in relation to this polymorphism and long-term intellectual training. EEG power indicators were studied in experimental participants of a younger age group (YAG, 18–35 years, N = 261) and an older age group (OAG, 55–80 years, N = 142). Experimental participants were divided on the basis of the intellectual richness of the professional environment into scientists (Sci) and those not engaged in scientific activity (NSci). Genotypes of the STin2VNTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene were determined in all experimental participants. The power indexes of the δ–β1 rhythms in carriers of the 10/10 and 12/12 genotypes were found to be opposite in the elderly Sci and NSci groups (10/10 > 12/12 in the Sci group, 12/12 > 10/10 in the NSci group), while no such effect was seen in young experimental participants. In subjects without cognitive training, genetic differences were determined by an age-related decrease in the power of δ–α3 rhythms in carriers of the 10/10 genotype, while there were no age-related differences in carriers of the 12/12 genotype, suggesting that the 12/12 genotype is stable to age-related changes. In contrast, in subjects with cognitive training, age-related differences were not seen in the 10/10 genotype, while a decrease in power was observed in the 12/12 genotype, suggesting that cognitive training has effects in both homozygous genotypes. The decreases in power observed for the 10/10 NSci and 12/12 Sci genotypes appear to have different physiological significance, since they were accompanied by changes in the efficiency of attention only in the NSci group. The work reported here provides the first demonstration that association of background EEG features with the STin2VNTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene in elderly people is modulated by long-term cognitive training due to the specific characteristics of professional activity.

AB - Our previous work showed that associations between the STin2VNTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene and cognitive characteristics in aging depend on the intellectual environment of professional activity. In continuation, the present study investigated the age-related characteristics of the electrical activity of the brain in relation to this polymorphism and long-term intellectual training. EEG power indicators were studied in experimental participants of a younger age group (YAG, 18–35 years, N = 261) and an older age group (OAG, 55–80 years, N = 142). Experimental participants were divided on the basis of the intellectual richness of the professional environment into scientists (Sci) and those not engaged in scientific activity (NSci). Genotypes of the STin2VNTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene were determined in all experimental participants. The power indexes of the δ–β1 rhythms in carriers of the 10/10 and 12/12 genotypes were found to be opposite in the elderly Sci and NSci groups (10/10 > 12/12 in the Sci group, 12/12 > 10/10 in the NSci group), while no such effect was seen in young experimental participants. In subjects without cognitive training, genetic differences were determined by an age-related decrease in the power of δ–α3 rhythms in carriers of the 10/10 genotype, while there were no age-related differences in carriers of the 12/12 genotype, suggesting that the 12/12 genotype is stable to age-related changes. In contrast, in subjects with cognitive training, age-related differences were not seen in the 10/10 genotype, while a decrease in power was observed in the 12/12 genotype, suggesting that cognitive training has effects in both homozygous genotypes. The decreases in power observed for the 10/10 NSci and 12/12 Sci genotypes appear to have different physiological significance, since they were accompanied by changes in the efficiency of attention only in the NSci group. The work reported here provides the first demonstration that association of background EEG features with the STin2VNTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene in elderly people is modulated by long-term cognitive training due to the specific characteristics of professional activity.

KW - EEG power

KW - STin2VNTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene

KW - aging

KW - cognitive training

KW - intellectual loads

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/52037fff-518a-3855-8d38-c51d873ee758/

UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-86000354240&origin=inward&txGid=8f599b7ba9bf5070911d0fc761a3799a

U2 - 10.1007/s11055-025-01769-0

DO - 10.1007/s11055-025-01769-0

M3 - Article

SP - 437

EP - 449

JO - Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology

JF - Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology

SN - 0097-0549

M1 - 173243

ER -