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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding region of PGC-1α is a male-specific modifier of Huntington disease age-at-onset in a large European cohort

Authors: Patrick Weydt, Selma M Soyal, G Bernhard Landwehrmeyer, Wolfgang Patsch, For the European Huntington Disease Network

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Genetic modifiers are important clues for the identification of therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases. Huntington disease (HD) is one of the most common autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative diseases. The clinical symptoms include motor abnormalities, cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances. Symptom onset is typically between 40 and 50 years of age, but can vary by several decades in extreme cases and this is in part determined by modifying genetic factors. The metabolic master regulator PGC-1α, coded by the PPARGC1A gene, coordinates cellular respiration and was shown to play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, including HD.

Methods

Using a candidate gene approach we analyzed a large European cohort (n = 1706) from the REGISTRY study for associations between PPARGC1A genotype and age at onset (AO) in HD.

Results

We report that a coding variant (rs3736265) in PPARGC1A is associated with an earlier motor AO in men but not women carrying the HD mutation.

Conclusions

These results further strengthen the evidence for a role of PGC-1α in HD and unexpectedly suggest a gender effect.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/14/1/prepub

Title: A single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding region of PGC-1α is a male-specific modifier of Huntington disease age-at-onset in a large European cohort
Authors: Patrick Weydt
Selma M Soyal
G Bernhard Landwehrmeyer
Wolfgang Patsch
For the European Huntington Disease Network
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-14-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding region of PGC-1α is a male-specific modifier of Huntington disease age-at-onset in a large European cohort

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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