Association of NOS3 rs1799983 Polymorphism with Cognitive Function in Patients with First Episode Depression

Objective: Global aging has led to a steady rise in the number of older adults suffering from the first-episode depression with cognitive impairment (FEDCI), which imposes a huge medical and financial burden on patients and their families. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of the NOS3 rs1799983 polymorphism on the FEDCI. Methods: A total of 224 first-episode depression (FED) and 295 FEDCI patients were included in the study, whose serum levels of NOS3 and inflammatory factors were detected by RT-qPCR. The TaqMan probe method was used to detect the rs1799983 genotype distribution. GDS-15 and HAMD-17 were used to detect the level of depression, and MMSE was used to detect cognitive impairment. Chi-square analysis was used to detect the correlation between clinical characteristics and NOS3 expression. Risk factors for FEDCI were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: The NOS3 expression decreased, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression increased in the FEDCI group, and these two factors' expression was negatively correlated. The MMSE score was positively correlated with the NOS3 expression. The TT genotype and T gene frequency in the distribution of FEDCI patients accounted for a high percentage, with the TT genotype being the causative genotype. Education, GDS-15, HAMD-17, and MMSE are correlated with the NOS3 expression. MMSE, NOS3 expression, and the rs1799983 TT genotype were risk factors of FEDCI. Conclusion: The NOS3 expression was decreased in FEDCI, and the rs1799983 TT genotype was pathogenic. The NOS3 rs1799983 polymorphism in FEDCI provided a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target.