scholarly journals Molecular genetic aetiology of general cognitive function is enriched in evolutionarily conserved regions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Hill ◽  
G. Davies ◽  
S. E Harris ◽  
S. P. Hagenaars ◽  
D. C. Liewald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Pleiotropic Effect ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Conserved Regions ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Genome Wide

AbstractDifferences in general cognitive function have been shown to be partly heritable and to show genetic correlations with a several psychiatric and physical disease states. However, to date few single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have demonstrated genome-wide significance, hampering efforts aimed at determining which genetic variants are most important for cognitive function and which regions drive the genetic associations between cognitive function and disease states. Here, we combine multiple large genome-wide association study (GWAS) data sets, from the CHARGE cognitive consortium and UK Biobank, to partition the genome into 52 functional annotations and an additional 10 annotations describing tissue-specific histone marks. Using stratified linkage disequilibrium score regression we show that, in two measures of cognitive function, SNPs associated with cognitive function cluster in regions of the genome that are under evolutionary negative selective pressure. These conserved regions contained ~2.6% of the SNPs from each GWAS but accounted for ~ 40% of the SNP-based heritability. The results suggest that the search for causal variants associated with cognitive function, and those variants that exert a pleiotropic effect between cognitive function and health, will be facilitated by examining these enriched regions.

A Proteome-Wide Association Study Identified Candidate Human Brain Proteins Associated with Coffee Consumption

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun'e Li ◽  
Xiao Liang ◽  
Yumeng Jia ◽  
Yan Wen ◽  
Huijie Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Association Study ◽  
Plasma Proteins ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Coffee Consumption ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Brain Proteins ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Brain Proteome

Abstract Background Increasing evidence suggests the association between caffeine and the brain and nervous system. However, there is limited research on the genetic associations between coffee consumption subtypes and brain proteome, plasma proteomes, and peripheral metabolites. Methods First, proteome-wide association study (PWAS) of coffee consumption subtypes was performed by integrating two independent genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets (91,462–502,650 subjects) with two reference human brain proteomes (ROS/MAP and Banner), by using the FUSION pipeline. Second, transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) analysis of coffee consumption subtypes was conducted by integrating the two gene expression weight references (RNAseq and splicing) of brain RNA-seq and the two GWAS datasets (91,462–502,650 subjects) of coffee consumption subtypes. Finally, we used the LD Score Regression (LDSC) analysis to evaluate the genetic correlations of coffee consumption subtypes with plasma proteomes and peripheral metabolites. Results For the traits related to coffee consumption, we identified 3 common PWAS proteins, such as MADD (P PWAS−Banner−dis=0.0114, P PWAS−ROS/MAP−rep =0.0489). In addition, 11 common TWAS genes were found in two cohorts, such as ARPC2 (P TWAS−splicing−dis =2063×10− 12, P TWAS−splicing−dis =1.25×10− 10, P TWAS−splicing−dis =1.24e-08, P TWAS−splicing−rep =3.25×10− 9 and P TWAS−splicing−rep =3.42×10− 13). Importantly, we have identified 8 common genes between PWAS and TWAS, such as ALDH2 (P PWAS−banner−rep =1.22×10− 22, PTWAS− splicing−dis = 4.54×10− 92). For the LDSC analysis of human plasma proteome, we identified 11 plasma proteins, such as CHL1 (P dis = 0.0151, P rep =0.0438). For the LDSC analysis of blood metabolites, 5 metabolites have been found, such as myo-inositol (P dis = 0.0073, P dis = 0.0152, P dis =0.0414, P rep =0.0216). Conclusions We identified several brain proteins and genes associated with coffee consumption subtypes. In addition, we also detected several candidate plasma proteins and metabolites related to these subtypes.

scholarly journals Genetic Determinants of Telomere Length in African American Youth

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Zeiger ◽  
Marquitta J. White ◽  
Sam S. Oh ◽  
Jonathan Witonsky ◽  
Maria G. Contreras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
African Ancestry ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Pediatric Populations ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

ABSTRACTTelomere length (TL) is associated with numerous disease states and is affected by genetic and environmental factors. However, TL has been mostly studied in adult populations of European or Asian ancestry. These studies have identified 34 TL-associated genetic variants recently used as genetic proxies for TL. The generalizability of these associations to pediatric populations and racially diverse populations, specifically of African ancestry, remains unclear. Furthermore, six novel variants associated with TL in a population of European children have been identified but not validated. We measured TL from whole blood samples of 492 healthy African American youth (children and adolescents between 8 and 20 years old) and performed the first genome-wide association study of TL in this population. We were unable to replicate neither the 34 reported genetic associations found in adults nor the six genetic associations found in European children. However, we discovered a novel genome-wide significant association between TL and rs1483898 on chromosome 14. Our results underscore the importance of examining these genetic associations with TL in diverse pediatric populations such as African Americans.

A family-based genome-wide association study reveals an association of spondyloarthritis with MAPK14

2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 310-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félicie Costantino ◽  
Alice Talpin ◽  
Roula Said-Nahal ◽  
Ariane Leboime ◽  
Elena Zinovieva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Association Study ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
P Value ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Gwas Study ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Multiplex Families ◽  
Family Based

ObjectiveMore than 40 loci have been associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but less is known about genetic associations in spondyloarthritis (SpA) as a whole. We conducted a family-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify new non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic factors associated with SpA.Methods906 subjects from 156 French multiplex families, including 438 with SpA, were genotyped using Affymetrix 250K microarrays. Association was tested with Unphased. The best-associated non-MHC single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were then genotyped in two independent familial cohorts (including 215 French and 294 North American patients with SpA, respectively) to replicate associations.Results43 non-MHC SNPs yielded an association signal with SpA in the discovery cohort (p<1×10−4). In the extension studies, association was replicated at a nominal p value of p<0.05 for 16 SNPs in the second cohort and for three SNPs in the third cohort. Combined analysis identified an association close to genome-wide significance between rs7761118, an intronic SNP of MAPK14, and SpA (p=3.5×10−7). Such association appeared to be independent of HLA-B27.ConclusionsWe report here for the first time a family-based GWAS study on SpA and identified an associated polymorphism near MAPK14. Further analyses are needed to better understand the functional basis of this genetic association.

scholarly journals Improving brain age estimates with deep learning leads to identification of novel genetic factors associated with brain aging

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaida Ning ◽  
Ben A. Duffy ◽  
Meredith Franklin ◽  
Will Matloff ◽  
Lu Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Validation Tests ◽  
Brain Age

AbstractBrain aging trajectories among those of the same chronological age can vary significantly. Statistical models have been created for estimating the apparent age of the brain, or predicted brain age, with imaging data. Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown the potential to more accurately predict brain age. We trained a CNN on 16,998 UK Biobank subjects, and in validation tests found that it was more accurate than a regression model for predicting brain age. A genome-wide association study was conducted on CNN-derived predicted brain age whereby we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms from four independent loci significantly associated with brain aging. One locus has been previously reported to be associated with brain aging. The three other loci were novel. Our results suggest that a more accurate brain age prediction enables the discovery of novel genetic associations, which may be valuable for identifying other lifestyle factors associated with brain aging.

scholarly journals Genetic Contributions to Health Literacy

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (03) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Chloe Fawns-Ritchie ◽  
Gail Davies ◽  
Saskia P. Hagenaars ◽  
Ian J. Deary
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Polygenic Scores ◽  
Genetic Contributions

AbstractHigher health literacy is associated with higher cognitive function and better health. Despite its wide use in medical research, no study has investigated the genetic contributions to health literacy. Using 5783 English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) participants (mean age = 65.49, SD = 9.55) who had genotyping data and had completed a health literacy test at wave 2 (2004–2005), we carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of health literacy. We estimated the proportion of variance in health literacy explained by all common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Polygenic profile scores were calculated using summary statistics from GWAS of 21 cognitive and health measures. Logistic regression was used to test whether polygenic scores for cognitive and health-related traits were associated with having adequate, compared to limited, health literacy. No SNPs achieved genome-wide significance for association with health literacy. The proportion of variance in health literacy accounted for by common SNPs was 8.5% (SE = 7.2%). Greater odds of having adequate health literacy were associated with a 1 standard deviation higher polygenic score for general cognitive ability [OR = 1.34, 95% CI (1.26, 1.42)], verbal-numerical reasoning [OR = 1.30, 95% CI (1.23, 1.39)], and years of schooling [OR = 1.29, 95% CI (1.21, 1.36)]. Reduced odds of having adequate health literacy were associated with higher polygenic profiles for poorer self-rated health [OR = 0.92, 95% CI (0.87, 0.98)] and schizophrenia [OR = 0.91, 95% CI (0.85, 0.96)). The well-documented associations between health literacy, cognitive function and health may partly be due to shared genetic etiology. Larger studies are required to obtain accurate estimates of SNP-based heritability and to discover specific health literacy-associated genetic variants.

scholarly journals Genome-wide analyses in 1,987,836 participants identify 39 genetic loci associated with sleep apnoea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian I Campos ◽  
Nathan Ingold ◽  
Yunru Huang ◽  
Pik Fang Kho ◽  
Xikun Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Traits ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Sleep Apnoea ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome

Rationale: Sleep apnoea is a complex disorder characterised by periods of halted breathing during sleep. Despite its association with serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, the aetiology of sleep apnoea remains understudied, and previous genetic studies have failed to identify replicable genetic risk factors. Objective: To advance our understanding of factors that increase susceptibility to sleep apnoea by identifying novel genetic associations. Methods: We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of sleep apnoea across five cohorts, and a previously published GWAS of apnoea-hypopnea index (N Total =510,484). Further, we used multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG) to boost statistical power, leveraging the high genetic correlations between apnoea, snoring and body mass index. Replication was performed in an independent sample from 23andMe, Inc (N Total =1,477,352; N cases =175,522). Results: Our results revealed 39 independent genomic loci robustly associated with sleep apnoea risk, and significant genetic correlations with multisite chronic pain, sleep disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, asthma and BMI-related traits. We also derived polygenic risk scores for sleep apnoea in a leave-one-out independent cohort and predicted probable sleep apnoea in participants (OR=1.15 to 1.22; variance explained = 0.4 to 0.9%). Conclusions: We report novel genetic markers robustly associated with sleep apnoea risk and substantial molecular overlap with other complex traits, thus advancing our understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms of susceptibility to sleep apnoea.

scholarly journals A genome-wide association study finds novel genetic associations with broadly-defined headache in UK Biobank (N = 223,773)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihua Meng ◽  
Mark J Adams ◽  
Harry L Hebert ◽  
Ian J Deary ◽  
Andrew M McIntosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Association Study ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
The Uk

AbstractHeadache is the most common neurological symptom and a leading cause of years lived with disability. We sought to identify the genetic variants associated with a broadly-defined headache phenotype in 223,773 subjects from the UK Biobank cohort. We defined headache based on a specific question answered by the UK Biobank participants. We performed a genome-wide association study of headache as a single entity, using 74,461 cases and 149,312 controls. We identified 3,343 SNPs which reached the genome-wide significance level of P < 5 × 10−8. The SNPs were located in 28 loci, with the top SNP of rs11172113 in the LRP1 gene having a P value of 4.92 × 10−47. Of the 28 loci, 14 have previously been associated with migraine. Among 14 new loci, rs77804065 with a P value of 5.87 × 10−15 in the LINC02210-CRHR1 gene was the top SNP.Positive relationships (P < 0.001) between multiple brain tissues and genetic associations were identified through tissue expression analysis, whereas no vascular related tissues showed significant relationships. We identified several significant positive genetic correlations between headache and other psychological traits including neuroticism, depressive symptoms, insomnia, and major depressive disorder.Our results suggest that brain function is closely related to broadly-defined headache. In addition, we also found that many psychological traits have genetic correlations with headache.

scholarly journals Genetic Associations of Chronotype in the Finnish General Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-511
Author(s):  
Mirkka Maukonen ◽  
Aki S. Havulinna ◽  
Satu Männistö ◽  
Noora Kanerva ◽  
Veikko Salomaa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clock Gene ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Genetic Risk Score ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Candidate Gene Approach ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Genome Wide

Individuals with a later chronotype (evening types) tend to have unhealthier behaviors and increased morbidity and mortality as compared with those with an earlier chronotype (morning types). However, the role of genetics in explaining evening types’ adverse health and health behavior is unclear. Our aim was to study genetic associations of chronotype among 8433 Finns from the cross-sectional National FINRISK 2007 and 2012 studies. First, we studied associations between chronotype and 20 key clock genes with a candidate-gene approach and then performed a full genome-wide association study (GWAS) of chronotype. We also developed a genetic risk score (GRS) for chronotype based on 313 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have previously been associated with chronotype. Chronotype was assessed with a shortened version of Horne and Östberg’s Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (sMEQ), and for comparison, we also used the single self-evaluation question on chronotype from the questionnaire. Linear and logistic regression was used for statistical analysis assuming additive effects. The clock gene analysis revealed 1 independent association signal within NR1D2 (lead SNP rs4131403) that was associated with chronotype ( p < 0.05; as based on both chronotype assessment methods). The GWAS analysis did not yield any genome-wide significant associations ( p > 5 × 10−8). However, higher GRS was associated with evening chronotype ( p < 0.001; as based on both chronotype assessment methods). In conclusion, our findings indicated novel genetic associations between chronotype and the NR1D2 clock gene, which has previously been associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the GRS was able to capture the genetic aspect of chronotype in our study population. These findings expand our knowledge of the genetic basis of chronotype.

scholarly journals Genomic analysis of diet composition finds novel loci and associations with health and lifestyle

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Fleur W Meddens ◽  
Ronald de Vlaming ◽  
Peter Bowers ◽  
Casper AP Burik ◽  
Richard Karlsson Linnér ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Caloric Content ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Neighborhood Poverty ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Meta Analyses

AbstractWe conducted genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses of relative caloric intake from fat, protein, carbohydrates and sugar in over 235,000 individuals. We identified 21 approximately independent lead SNPs. Relative protein intake exhibits the strongest relationships with poor health, including positive genetic associations with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease (rg ≈ 0.15 – 0.5). Relative carbohydrate and sugar intake have negative genetic correlations with waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and neighborhood poverty (|rg| ≈ 0.1 – 0.3). Overall, our results show that the relative intake of each macronutrient has a distinct genetic architecture and pattern of genetic correlations suggestive of health implications beyond caloric content.

scholarly journals Genetic Contributions To Health Literacy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Fawns-Ritchie ◽  
Gail Davies ◽  
Saskia P Hagenaars ◽  
Ian J Deary
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Adequate Health Literacy ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Polygenic Scores ◽  
Genetic Contributions

AbstractHigher health literacy is associated with higher cognitive function and better health. Despite its wide use in medical research, no study has investigated the genetic contributions to health literacy. Using 5,783 English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) participants (mean age=65.49, SD=9.55) who had genotyping data and had completed a health literacy test at wave 2 (2004-2005), we carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of health literacy. We estimated the proportion of variance in health literacy explained by all common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Polygenic profile scores were calculated using summary statistics from GWAS of 21 cognitive and health measures. Logistic regression was used to test whether polygenic scores for cognitive and health-related traits were associated with having adequate, compared to limited, health literacy. No SNPs achieved genome-wide significance for association with health literacy. The proportion of variance in health literacy accounted for by common SNPs was 8.5% (SE=7.2%). Greater odds of having adequate health literacy were associated with a 1SD higher polygenic score for general cognitive ability (OR=1.34, 95% CI 1.26-1.42), verbal-numerical reasoning (OR=1.30, 1.23-1.39), and years of schooling (OR=1.29, 1.21-1.36). Reduced odds of having adequate health literacy were associated with higher polygenic profiles for poorer self-rated health (OR=0.92, 0.87-0.98) and schizophrenia (OR=0.91, 0.85-0.96). The well-documented associations between health literacy, cognitive function and health may partly be due to shared genetic aetiology. Larger studies are required to obtain accurate estimates of SNP-based heritability, and to discover specific health literacy-associated genetic variants.

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