Thematic Area 4: Genetics

TA 4: Genetic and epigenetics factors as a biological link between food intake and cognition/neurodegeneration

Which genetic and epigenetischen factors play a role with neuro-degenerative disease?

Understanding of the molecular genetic factors that underlie the relationship between nutrition and the development of illness is limited. The influence of nutrition on cognitive ability and neurodegenerative disease is mediated by various, as yet largely unknown, biological pathways. The possibilities offered by modern genetics and epigenetics render stepwise characterization of these pathways feasible. Individual human genetic constitution will also have an influence on these processes, and modulate the effects of nutrition via gene-environment interactions. For the purposes of our analyses, we will use data from various cohorts (TTTS, DONALD study, Rhineland study, AgeCoDe).

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) study

This study is based on the unique German registry of twin-pairs with a twin to twin transfusion syndrome. The advantage of investigating monozygotic twins is that the influence of genetic factors is excluded, and thus any difference observed between co-twins is caused by transient differences in environmental exposure. In the TTTS cohort, the major environmental difference is discordance in prenatal nutrition at various stages of pregnancy. The long-term effects of these differences in prenatal nutritional probably result from epigenetic changes and the consequent changes in gene expression.

DONALD study /Rhineland study / AgeCoDe study

In case of the DONALD study (infancy to adolescents)and Rhineland study cohort (adults and older subjects), the individuals will be genotyped and a DNA- and RNA bank will be established for all available individuals. In the prospective AgeCoDe cohort a genome-wide methylation analysis will be performed for incident dementia patients. In the different cohorts the scientists want to determine possible genetic differences in nutrition, cognition and imaging.

Investigation of genetic and epigenetic effects

The aims of the planned genetic studies (DONALD, Rhineland and AgeCoDe) are to elucidate: (i) the contribution of particular genes/pathways to outcome measures such as fatty acid profiles, cognition and neurodegeneration; and (ii) how this is influenced by nutrition. In TTTS, the genome-wide methylation data will be investigated in association with cognitive and behavioral outcome measures in order to obtain insight into the underlying biology of observed differences. The scientists examine the genetic effects using data fromthe DONALD study, Rhineland study and AgeCoDe study and the epigeneticeffects with the help of TTTS-and AgeCoDe cohort. They will evaluate the genotype data and interpret them using bioinformatical and biostatistical analysis.

Prof. Dr. Markus Nöthen (coordination)
Institute of Human Genetics
Medical Faculty
University of Bonn
University Hospital of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25
D-53127 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 287 51100 51101
Fax +49 228 287 51011
markus.noethen(at)uni-bonn.de

Dr. Anne Böhmer
Institute of Human Genetics
Department of Genomics
Life&Brain Center
University of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25
D-53127 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 6885 425
Fax +49 228 6885 401
aboehmer(at)uni-bonn.de

Dr. Stefanie Heilmann
Institute of Human Genetics
Department of Genomics
Life and Brain Center
University of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25
D-53127 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 6885 423
Fax +49 228 6885 401
sheilmann@uni-bonn.de

Dr. Andreas Forstner
Institute of Human Genetics
Medical Faculty
University of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25
D-53127 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 287 5108
forstner(at)uni-bonn.de

Prof. Dr. Matthias Schmid
Institute for Medical Biometry
Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE)
University of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25
D-53105 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 287 15400
sekretariat(at)imbie.uni-bonn.de
www.imbie.uni-bonn.de

Leonie Weinhold
Institute for Medical Biometry
Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE)
University of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25
D-53105 Bonn
Ph. +49 228-287-14812
leonie.weinhold(at)imbie.uni-bonn.de

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Alfredo Ramirez, MD
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
University Hospital of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25
53105 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 287 19323
Fax +49 228 287 16097
alfredo.ramirez(at)ukb.uni-bonn.de

Holger Wagner-Thelen
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
University Hospital of Bonn

Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25
53105 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 287-15737
Holger.Wagner(at)ukb.uni-bonn.de

Prof. Dr. Joachim Wölfle
Department of General Pediatrics
University Hospital Bonn

Adenauerallee 119
D-53113 Bonn
joachim.woelfle(at)ukb.uni-bonn.de
www.kinderklinik-bonn.de

Prof. Dr. Dr. Monique Breteler
Population and Health Sciences
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)

Sigmund-Freud-Str. 27
D-53127 Bonn
Ph. +49 228 43302 929
monique.breteler(at)dzne.de