There are genetic influences on memory ability during aging, but no specific genes have been identified. The purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants that may be responsible for exceptional episodic memory performance in nondemented offspring from the Long Life Family study. Heritability estimates indicated a significant genetic component for exceptional episodic memory. Genome-wide linkage analysis revealed that exceptional episodic memory was linked to the 6q24 region. This genomic region harbors monooxygenase dopamine β-hydroxylase-like 1 gene (MOXD1), implicated in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine, which is prominently involved in cognitive functions. Identifying the genes will help in understanding the biological basis of memory performance and facilitate design of interventions for enhancement of cognitive function.
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Barral S, Cosentino S, Christensen K, Newman AB, Perls TT, Province MA, Mayeux R; Long Life Family Study: Common genetic variants on 6q24 associated with exceptional episodic memory performance in the elderly. JAMA Neurology 71(12): 1514-1519 (2014).
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25317765