Aging and a genetic KIBRA polymorphism interactively affect feedback- and observation-based probabilistic classification learning

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • N.W. Schuck - , Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Aging Research, Princeton University (Author)
  • J.R. Petok - , Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, Newark (Author)
  • M. Meeter - , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) (Author)
  • B.-M.M. Schjeide - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (Author)
  • J. Schröder - , Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (Author)
  • L. Bertram - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, University of Lübeck, Imperial College London (Author)
  • M.A. Gluck - , Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, Newark (Author)
  • S.-C. Li - , Chair of Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development (Author)

Abstract

Probabilistic category learning involves complex interactions between the hippocampus and striatum that may depend on whether acquisition occurs via feedback or observation. Little is known about how healthy aging affects these processes. We tested whether age-related behavioral differences in probabilistic category learning from feedback or observation depend on a genetic factor known to influence individual differences in hippocampal function, the KIBRA gene (single nucleotide polymorphism rs17070145). Results showed comparable age-related performance impairments in observational as well as feedback-based learning. Moreover, genetic analyses indicated an age-related interactive effect of KIBRA on learning: among older adults, the beneficial T-allele was positively associated with learning from feedback, but negatively with learning from observation. In younger adults, no effects of KIBRA were found. Our results add behavioral genetic evidence to emerging data showing age-related differences in how neural resources relate to memory functions, namely that hippocampal and striatal contributions to probabilistic category learning may vary with age. Our findings highlight the effects genetic factors can have on differential age-related decline of different memory functions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)36-43
Number of pages8
JournalNeurobiology of aging
Volume61
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85034812917