Polymorphisms in the Cholinergic Receptors Muscarinic (CHRM2 and CHRM3) Genes and Alzheimer’s Disease

BACKGROUND: Disruption of the cholinergic neurotransmitter pathway which is important for cognition, memory and learning abilities has been reported in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients. The receptors involved include the Cholinergic Receptors Muscarinic (CHRM). CHRM2 gene has been associated with intelligence, personality traits, substance dependence and depression. CHRM3 has been found to heterodimerize with CHRM2. METHODS: DNA samples from 240 AD patients with SNPs rs6962027 of CHRM2 gene and rs7511970 of CHRM3 gene were amplified using PCR and genotyped using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Chi-squared test was done to check if the genes are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Although the results did not show significant associations, these data denote plausible interaction between TT in SNP rs6962027 in CHRM2 gene and TT in SNP rs7511970 in CHRM3 gene affecting AD risk. SNP rs7511970 of CHRM3 gene may also exert an influence on late-onset AD.