Cognitive ability across the life course and cortisol levels in older age

Elevated cortisol levels have been hypothesised to contribute to cognitive ageing, but study findings are inconsistent. In the present study, we examined the association between salivary cortisol in older age and cognitive ability across the life course. We used data from 370 members of the 36-Day Sample of the Scottish Mental Survey 1947, who underwent cognitive testing at age 11, and were then followed up at around age 78, completing further cognitive tests and providing diurnal salivary cortisol samples. We hypothesised that higher cortisol levels would be associated with lower cognitive ability in older age and greater cognitive decline from childhood to older age, but also lower childhood cognitive ability. Few of the tested associations were significant, and of those that were, most suggested a positive relationship between cortisol and cognitive ability. Only one cognitive measure showed any sign of cortisol-related impairment. However, after correcting for multiple comparisons, no results remained significant. These findings suggest that cortisol may not play an important role in cognitive ageing across the life course

Speech Communication

Contains table of contents for Part V, table of contents for Section 1, an introduction, reports on five research projects and a list of publications.C.J. Lebel FellowshipDennis Klatt Memorial FundNational Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00075National Institutes of Health Grant P01-DC00361-06A1National Institutes of Health Grant R03-DC01721National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC01291National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00261National Institutes of Health Contract R01-DC00776National Science Foundation Grant IRI 89-05249National Science Foundation Grant IRI 89-10561National Science Foundation Grant INT 90-2471

Speech Communication

Contains table of contents for Part V, table of contents for Section 1, reports on six research projects and a list of publications.C.J. Lebel FellowshipDennis Klatt Memorial FundNational Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00075National Institutes of Health Grant R03-DC01721National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC01291National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00261National Institutes of Health Grant P01-DC00361-06A1National Institutes of Health Grant R01-DC00776National Science Foundation Grant IRI 89-05439National Science Foundation Grant IRI 89-10561National Science Foundation Grant INT 90-2471

Genome sequence and analysis of the tuber crop potato.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the world's most important non-grain food crop and is central to global food security. It is clonally propagated, highly heterozygous, autotetraploid, and suffers acute inbreeding depression. Here we use a homozygous doubled-monoploid potato clone to sequence and assemble 86% of the 844-megabase genome. We predict 39,031 protein-coding genes and present evidence for at least two genome duplication events indicative of a palaeopolyploid origin. As the first genome sequence of an asterid, the potato genome reveals 2,642 genes specific to this large angiosperm clade. We also sequenced a heterozygous diploid clone and show that gene presence/absence variants and other potentially deleterious mutations occur frequently and are a likely cause of inbreeding depression. Gene family expansion, tissue-specific expression and recruitment of genes to new pathways contributed to the evolution of tuber development. The potato genome sequence provides a platform for genetic improvement of this vital crop

Genomic data from the potato

Available here is the genome of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), the first genome sequenced from the asterid clade. Potato is a member of the Solanaceae, a plant family that includes many other economically important species, such as tomato, petunia, eggplant, tobacco, and pepper. As the potato is both clonally propagated and the world;s most important non-grain food crop, its genome is a valuable agricultural resource. The Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium sequenced two species: the heterozygous diploid S. tuberosum Group Tuberosum cultivar, RH89-039-16 (RH), and the doubled monoploid S. tuberosum Group Phureja clone DM1-3 516R44 (DM). The potato genome consists of 12 chromosomes, of which over 80% of the homozygous clone’s 844-megabase genome were assembled. Genome analysis revealed evidence of at least two genome duplication events and identified a number of asterid-specific genes. Comparison between the two clones identified frequent gene variations and mutations, which may cause inbreeding depression