The prevalence of the Val66Met polymorphism in musicians: Possible evidence for compensatory neuroplasticity from a pilot study

Abstract

The study compared the prevalence of the Val66Met Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6265) in a sample of musicians (N = 50) to an ethnically matched general population sample from the 1000 Human Genome Project (N = 424). Met-carriers of the polymorphism (Val/Met and Met/Met genotypes) are typically present in 25–30% of the general population and have associated deficits in motor learning and plasticity. Many studies have assessed the benefits of long-term music training for neuroplasticity and motor learning. This study takes a unique genetic approach investigating if the prevalence of the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism, which negatively affects motor learning, is significantly different in musicians from the general population. Our genotype and allele frequency analyses revealed that the distribution of the Val66Met polymorphism was not significantly different in musicians versus the general population (p = 0.6447 for genotype analysis and p = 0.8513 allele analysis). In the Musician sample (N = 50), the prevalence of the Val/Met genotype was 40% and the prevalence of the Met/Met genotype was 2%. In the 1000 Human Genome Project subset (N = 424), the prevalence of Val/Met was 33.25% and the Met/Met genotype prevalence was 4%. Therefore, musicians do exist with the Val66Met polymorphism and the characteristics of long-term music training may compensate for genetic predisposition to motor learning deficits. Since the polymorphism has significant implications for stroke rehabilitation, future studies may consider the implications of the polymorphism in music-based interventions such as Neurologic Music Therapy.

Investigating the Role of BDNF in Insomnia: Current Insights

“…51 A decrease in BDNF production caused by the Val66Met BDF single-nucleotide polymorphism rs6265, present in 25%-30% of the population, is associated with prolonged initiation and termination of SWA (a type of EEG oscillation present primarily during NREM that is enhanced proportionally by the duration of wake time preceding sleep, a marker of sleep need). [52][53][54] Moreover, those individuals display reduced SWS duration and sleep activity (as measured by delta activity). 54 In a study on patients with major depressive disorder, it was revealed that upregulated BDNF production was linked to more intense SWA and higher NREM sleep quality; however, the level of this neurotrophin did not bear any relation to insomnia in this group.…”

A replication study of genetic variants associated with high-level musical aptitude

“…Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) revealed the association of rs9854612 (GATA2, 3q21.3,), rs13146789 and rs13109270 (PCDH7, 4p15.1) with music perception [5]; whereas transcriptome-based analyses demonstrated a differential expression of α-synuclein gene (SNCA, 4q22) while listening to classical music [10,14,15,16]. Some studies implicated neuronal plasticity genes, for instance, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) [17] and GRIN2B genes [1] to be related to music ability.…”

“…Some studies implicated neuronal plasticity genes, for instance, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) [17] to be related to music ability. Musical talent can be partially attributed to the efficacy of innate ability for motor and sensory learning to play musical instruments.…”

“…Animal studies also evidence in the positive effect of music listening on a diminished anxiety and BDNF overexpression even in BDNF Met/Met knock-in transgenic mice [29]. In turn, a recent pilot study [17] suggested the presence of a compensatory effect of early music training, which promoted enhanced sensorimotor learning in individuals with BDNF Met-allele. In line with this observation, repetitive training had a positive effect on cognitive functioning only among Met-allele carriers of younger age [30].…”