Val66Met BDNF Gene Polymorphism and Intellectual Complexity of the Occupational Environment: Associations with Cognitive Processing Speed during Aging

The high heterogeneity of cognitive aging is explained by the influence of both genetic and environmental factors. It has been shown that increasing cognitive reserve prevents the development of aging-related cognitive impairment. Education and level of professional activity are considered external factors in the formation of cognitive reserve. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor involved in the processes of plasticity of the mature brain. A polymorphism (Val66Met) of the BDNF gene is associated with differential expression of BDNF, suggesting its potential role in cognitive training outcomes. The associations between Val66Met polymorphism and the effectiveness of mental training caused by occupational work complexity throughout adult life (in our study, a comparison of scientists—SA and people not associated with professional scientific activities—NSA) remain unstudied). The objective of the study was to assess the modulating effect of these factors in relation to aging-related changes in the processes of attention and figurative creativity in models that allow us to consider both the efficiency and speed aspects of activity. The study involved 257 healthy young and 162 elderly Caucasians belonging to the groups of SA and NSA. It has been shown that the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene moderated the effect of the occupational work complexity on studied functions only in elderly subjects. In Val/Val, but not in Val/Met carriers, mean reaction time in the Attention network test (ANT) was decreased and fluency in the figural creativity test was increased at high-intensity intellectual activity (SA) compared to the NSA group. The results indicate greater plasticity of cognitive functions in carriers of the Val/Val genotype and could help forecasting and developing methods for differentiated correction of age-related cognitive decline.