Executive functions such as set-shifting and maintenance are cognitive processes that rely on complex neurodevelopmental processes mediated by basal ganglia-prefrontal loops and the medial prefrontal cortex. To establish of basal ganglia-prefrontal loops, Reelin plays an important role in neurodevelopment. Although neurodevelopmental processes are mainly studied in animal models and in neuropsychiatric disorders, the underlying genetic basis for these processes under physiological conditions is poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the association between genetic variants of the Reelin (RELN) gene and cognitive set-shifting in healthy young individuals. The relationship between 12 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the RELN gene and cognitive set-shifting. We accounted for robust associations that were substantiated by subsequent haplotype analyses. The results suggest that variation in the REN gene affect processes of cognitive set-shifting and flexible rule adaptation and broadens the relevance of the RELN gene as a modulator for cognitive functions beyond neurological and/or psychiatric disorders.

Baune, B. T., Konrad, C., Suslow, T., Domschke, K., Birosiva, E., Sehlmeyer, C., Beste, C. (2010). The Reelin (RELN) gene is associated with executive function in healthy individuals. Neurobiol Learn Mem, 94, 446-451.