In this project, we will investigate the transcriptomes of a human brain tissue to resolve RNA transcripts and functional variants that contribute to the process of cognitive decline in the aging human brain. Our approach using next generation RNA sequencing to create these transcriptomes will allow an unparalleled perspective on the complexity of transcriptional regulation of the brain, which is a tissue with one of the most diverse content of alternatively spliced transcripts and non-coding RNA molecules, many of which may not have been previously discovered. Further, the availability of genome-wide genotype data on the same subjects gives us a unique opportunity to explore the genetic effects on RNA expression. Thus, we may gain insight not only into the transcriptome diversity of the aging human brain but also into the manner in which genetic variation associated with clinically impaired cognition exert a functional consequence on the human brain. ! !

Public Health Relevance

The goal of this proposal is to understand which molecules of a brain tissue are involved in the cognitive decline in older individuals. In understanding how these molecules relate to genetic risk for aging and human cognitive function will allow investigators to better understand the onset of cognitive decline and diseases of cognition, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). This may help to develop clinical tests that may be able to predict who is at risk of developing AD and to develop new treatments to delay or prevent onset of cognitive decline and AD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32AG043267-01
Application #
8397265
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F02B-M (20))
Program Officer
Wagster, Molly V
Project Start
2012-12-01
Project End
2014-11-30
Budget Start
2012-12-01
Budget End
2013-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$52,190
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Raj, Towfique; Rothamel, Katie; Mostafavi, Sara et al. (2014) Polarization of the effects of autoimmune and neurodegenerative risk alleles in leukocytes. Science 344:519-23
Ye, Chun Jimmie; Feng, Ting; Kwon, Ho-Keun et al. (2014) Intersection of population variation and autoimmunity genetics in human T cell activation. Science 345:1254665
Raj, Towfique; Ryan, Katie J; Replogle, Joseph M et al. (2014) CD33: increased inclusion of exon 2 implicates the Ig V-set domain in Alzheimer's disease susceptibility. Hum Mol Genet 23:2729-36
Lee, Mark N; Ye, Chun; Villani, Alexandra-ChloƩ et al. (2014) Common genetic variants modulate pathogen-sensing responses in human dendritic cells. Science 343:1246980
Raj, Towfique; Kuchroo, Manik; Replogle, Joseph M et al. (2013) Common risk alleles for inflammatory diseases are targets of recent positive selection. Am J Hum Genet 92:517-29