Identifying the genetic basis and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive function

• Project/Area Number: 24300104
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cognitive science
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Kazuhiro 神戸大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (90324780)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥18,070,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥4,170,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥5,980,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,380,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥7,670,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,770,000)
• Keywords: 認知 / 知能 / ゲノム脳科学 / 遺伝子発現 / DNAメチル化 / エピジェネティクス / マイクロアレイ / 次世代シークエンサー / 双生児 / 精神遅滞 / CNV / 行動解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, in order to identify genes or gene sets that are associated with cognitive function or intelligence, we planned to perform behavioral, gene expression, and genomic analyses using inbred or outbred mice, gene expression, DNA methylation, and genomic analyses using monozygotic twin pairs discordant for IQ scores, genomic analysis of patients with mental retardation, and gene expression analysis of chimpanzee and human brains. We found several genes and gene sets as candidates for cognition-associated molecules and pathways by the studies of inbred mice and discordant monozygotic twins. We also found mutations in the several genes of the mental retardation patients that are known to cause the disease, and some other genes as candidates for the disease-causative genes. Further investigations are required to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive function.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Two cohort and three independent anonymous twin projects at the Keio Twin Research Center (KoTReC) (2013)
  • Author(s): Ando, J., Fujisawa, K. K., Shiki shima, C., Hiraishi, K., Nozaki, M., Yamagata, S., Takahashi, Y., Ozaki, K., Suzuki, K., Deno, M., Sasaki. S.. Toda, T., Kobayashi, K., Sugimoto, Y., Okada, M., Kijima, N., Ono, Y., Yoshimura, K, Kakihana, S., Maekawa, H., Kamakura, T., Nonaka, K., Kato, N., & Ooki, S.
  • Journal Title: Twin Research and Human Genetics Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Pages: 202
  • DOI: 10.1017/thg.2012.131
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression analyses of monozygotic twins discordant for intellgence levels. (2012)
  • Author(s): Yu CC
  • Journal Title: PLoS One. Volume: 7
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] Genes regulated by epigenetic mechanisms in determining general intelligence (g) are over-represented in disorders that affect cognition. (2014)
  • Author(s): Pei-Chieng Cha, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Yuko Ando, Keizo Takao, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa, Tatsushi Toda
  • Organizer: 第37回日本分子生物学会
  • Place of Presentation: パシフィコ横浜、横浜
  • Year and Date: 2014-11-25 – 2014-11-27
• [Presentation] Genes regulated by epigenetic mechanisms in determining general intelligence (g) are over-represented in disorders that affect cognition. (2014)
  • Author(s): Pei-Chieng Cha, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Yuko Ando, Keizo Takao, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa, Tatsushi Toda
  • Organizer: 第59回日本人類遺伝学会
  • Place of Presentation: タワーホール船堀、東京
  • Year and Date: 2014-11-19 – 2014-11-22
• [Presentation] Genes regulated by epigenetic mechanisms in determining general intelligence (g) are over-represented in disorders that affect cognition. (2014)
  • Author(s): Pei-Chieng Cha, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Yuko Ando, Keizo Takao, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa, Tatsushi Toda
  • Organizer: The 64th Annual Meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics
  • Place of Presentation: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, USA
  • Year and Date: 2014-10-18 – 2014-10-22
• [Presentation] 認知能力の差が顕著な一卵性双生児のDNAメチル化解析と遺伝子発現解析 (2013)
  • Author(s): 游智傑
  • Organizer: 日本双生児研究学会第27回学術講演会
  • Place of Presentation: 慶応義塾大学(東京)
  • Year and Date: 2013-01-26
• [Presentation] Genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression analyses of monozy gotic twins discordant for intelligence levels. (2012)
  • Author(s): Yu CC
  • Organizer: The American Society of Human Genetics 62nd Annual Meething
  • Place of Presentation: Moscone Center (サンフランシスコ、アメリカ)
  • Year and Date: 2012-11-08
• [Remarks] 神戸大学医学研究科分子脳科学ホームページ
  • URL: http://www.med.kobe-u.ac.jp/clgene/
• [Remarks] 神戸大学医学研究科分子脳科学ホームページ
  • URL: http://www.med.kobe-u.ac.jp/clgene/
• [Remarks]
  • URL: http://www.med.kobe-u.ac.jp/clgene