Neuregulin-1 genotype moderates the association between job strain and early atherosclerosis in young men.

Background: Although it is known that a given level of strain does not induce a corresponding CHD risk in all individuals, factors that predict groups at risk have remained unclear. Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) has various roles in the development and function of the heart and autonomic nervous system.

Purpose: We examined whether polymorphic variation in NRG-1 moderates the association between job strain and early atherosclerosis.

No association between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor 196 G>A or 270 C>T polymorphisms and Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes survival, differentiation and maintenance of neurons in the central nervous system. BDNF 196 G>A and 270 C>T polymorphisms have previously been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and with Parkinson's disease (PD). To study the role of BDNF 196 G>A and 270 C>T polymorphisms in Finnish AD and PD patients we genotyped BDNF 196 G>A and 270 C>T polymorphisms in 97 sporadic AD patients, 52 PD patients and 101 control subjects with polymerase chain reaction.