Cognitive Functions and Gene Polymorphism Associated with CardiovascularRisk in Young Adults vs. Patients with Arterial Hypertension

Introduction: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between cognitive functions and gene polymorphism associated with cardiovascular risk in young adults and patients with arterial hypertension (AH). Methods: The observational study involved 152 subjects, among whom there were 2 independent groups: a group of young healthy volunteers and a group of hypertensive patients. Cognitive functions were assessed using subtests 5 and 7 of the Wechsler Scale and the Bourdon test. Genetic testing was carried out for the following polymorphisms: APOC3 -482 C>T (rs2854117), PON1 L55M A>T (rs854560), and PON1 Q192R A>G (rs662). Identification of gene polymorphisms was performed via DNA pyrosequencing. Results: In both groups (young individuals and patients with AH), the presence of the Q192R A>G polymorphism of the PON1 gene was associated with worse results on cognitive tests. In young people, lower levels of concentration of attention, as well as the degree of mastery of visual-motor skills, were also associated with the -482 C>T polymorphism of the APOC3 gene and L55M A>T of the PON1 gene. Discussion: A relationship was identified between cognitive functions and polymorphism of genes associated with cardiovascular risk. The presence of the Q192R A>G polymorphism A allele of the PON1 gene accounted for the worst results of cognitive tests, both in young adults and patients with AH. Conclusion: It should be noted that polymorphic variants of genes involved in lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense—namely, the -482 C>T variant of the APOC3 gene and the L55M A>T variant of the PON1 gene—are significantly associated with lower cognitive test scores in young individuals. The genetic analysis, including the determination of the Q192R A>G polymorphism of the PON1 gene and the -482 C>T polymorphism of the APOC3 gene, may be included in the examination of patients with arterial hypertension to predict the development of cognitive dysfunction.