Mt2 (Metallothionein 2A) receptor can enhance the synaptic transmission by activating Akt signalling58; it is involved in the response to metal ions and its polymorphism has been involved in inflammatory response in diseases such as type 2 diabetes and carotid artery stenosis in elderly people59–61, increased Mt2 expression was also observed in prion-infected hamster brains62. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and coronary atherosclerosis measurement.