Author:
Chen Chen,Khanthiyong Bupachad,Thaweetee-Sukjai Benjamard,Charoenlappanit Sawanya,Roytrakul Sittiruk,Thanoi Samur,Reynolds Gavin P.,Nudmamud-Thanoi Sutisa
Abstract
AbstractSex differences in cognitive function exist, but they are not stable and undergo dynamic change during the lifespan. However, our understanding of how sex-related neural information transmission evolves with age is still in its infancy. This study utilized the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the label-free proteomics method with bioinformatic analysis to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related sex differences in cognitive performance in 199 healthy Thai subjects (aged 20–70 years), as well as explore the sex-dependent protein complexes for predicting cognitive aging. The results showed that males outperformed females in two of the five WCST sub-scores: %Corrects and %Errors. Sex differences in these scores were related to aging, becoming noticeable in those over 60. At the molecular level, differently expressed individual proteins and protein complexes between both sexes are associated with the potential N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitotoxicity, with the NMDAR complex being enriched exclusively in elderly female samples. These findings provided a preliminary indication that healthy Thai females might be more susceptible to such neurotoxicity, as evidenced by their cognitive performance. NMDAR protein complex enrichment in serum could be proposed as a potential indication for predicting cognitive aging in healthy Thai females.
Funder
Naresuan Competitive Grants for International Students, Naresuan University
Global and Frontier Research University Fund, Naresuan University
Reinventing University Program 2023, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Thailand
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC