Investigation of a functional quinine oxidoreductase (NQO2) polymorphism and cognitive decline

NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 2 (NQO2) is a quinone reductase whose functions include the reduction of both oxidative stress during the redox cycle and neurotoxicity caused by the metabolism of catecholamines. We have investigated a functional non-synonymous exon 3 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1143684) within the NQO2 gene for association with cognitive decline using a cohort of 722 community-dwelling older individuals aged 50 years and over. The volunteers had completed tests that measured fluid intelligence, processing speed, immediate/delayed verbal recall and semantic memory. We observed a nominal significant association between this polymorphism and the trajectory of delayed memory recall over time (p=0.029). No other associations were seen with the decline of other cognitive abilities.