Improved Mobility in Frail and Older Adults Linked to Common Gene Variant

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found variants of a gene that regulates dopamine levels in the brain may influence the mobility of older and frail adults, reports Medical Xpress . Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health examined the COMT gene in more than 500 adults over the age of 65 in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, California, and Maryland, excluding anyone taking dopamine-related medications or diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. They then sought potential links between genotype, frailty, and speed. "We found that in older, frail adults, those who have a high-dopamine genotype are more likely to maintain a faster gait and may be more resilient to mobility disablement as they age," said Pitt Public Health Professor Caterina Rosano. Frail subjects with a high-dopamine COMT genotype had a 10 percent faster walking speed than participants with the low-dopamine COMT genotype. "This 10 percent difference may seem small, but it could make a big difference for a person walking across a busy street while negotiating traffic," said Rosano. "This difference is even more striking when you consider just how many complex genes influence walking."