Article
Psychology, Clinical
David T. Liebers, Mehdi Pirooznia, Andrea Ganna, Fernando S. Goes
Summary: The study demonstrates that psychiatric polygenic risk scores can modestly improve the distinction between BD and MDD cases based on clinical grounds, potentially providing utility for subjects at the extremes of the distribution or those with poorly measured clinical symptoms.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Ying Xiong, Robert Karlsson, Jie Song, Kaarina Kowalec, Christian Rueck, Robert Sigstroem, Lina Jonsson, Caitlin C. Clements, Evelyn Andersson, Julia Boberg, Cathryn M. Lewis, Patrick F. Sullivan, Mikael Landen, Yi Lu
Summary: This study aims to investigate the genetic overlap between treatment response and resistance in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), and provides evidence for the heritability of treatment-related phenotypes. It highlights the overall genetic profile of lithium-sensitivity in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), offering a genetic explanation for the efficacy of lithium in treating TRD.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Miruna C. Barbu, Carmen Amador, Alex S. F. Kwong, Xueyi Shen, Mark J. Adams, David M. Howard, Rosie M. Walker, Stewart W. Morris, Josine L. Min, Chunyu Genetics DNA Methylation Consortium, Chunyu Liu, Jenny van Dongen, Mohsen Ghanbari, Caroline Relton, David J. Porteous, Archie Campbell, Kathryn L. Evans, Heather C. Whalley
Summary: This study found that DNA methylation scores of lifestyle and biochemical factors were associated with the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD), suggesting that these scores may serve as dynamic biomarkers for MDD risk. However, the effects of smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI on MDD became non-significant after adjusting for relevant lifestyle factors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert Plomin, Sophie von Stumm
Summary: Polygenic scores have rapidly grown in importance within the behavioral sciences over the past decade, allowing for the prediction of common disorders and traits in the population without needing to understand the processes between genes and behavior. While ultimate explanations from genes to behavior remain a long-term goal, the immediate practical utility of prediction for identifying at-risk individuals is a crucial first step. Increasing the predictive power of polygenic scores is a key focus for research in order to use them as an early warning system for prevention.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Bradley S. Jermy, Saskia P. Hagenaars, Kylie P. Glanville, Jonathan R. I. Coleman, David M. Howard, Gerome Breen, Evangelos Vassos, Cathryn M. Lewis
Summary: This study used factor analysis to derive continuous depression phenotypes from symptom-level data in the UK Biobank and found an association between polygenic risk for major depression and continuous depressive symptoms. The analysis on case- and control-only subsets showed a stronger association within cases, suggesting the importance of within-group variation in understanding major depression.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Giulia Cattarinussi, Giuseppe Delvecchio, Fabio Sambataro, Paolo Brambilla
Summary: This study provides an overview of the association between polygenic risk score (PRS) for major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SCZ) and MRI abnormalities. The study found that PRS for BD and SCZ showed either positive or negative correlations with cortical thickness, mostly involving fronto-temporal areas. PRS for MDD was associated with cortical alterations in prefrontal regions in healthy subjects. Overall, the evidence on the effect of PRS for these psychiatric disorders on the brain is heterogeneous and inconclusive.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clara Albinana, Zhihong Zhu, Andrew J. Schork, Andres Ingason, Hugues Aschard, Isabell Brikell, Cynthia M. Bulik, Liselotte V. Petersen, Esben Agerbo, Jakob Grove, Merete Nordentoft, David M. Hougaard, Thomas Werge, Anders D. Borglum, Preben Bo Mortensen, John J. McGrath, Benjamin M. Neale, Florian Prive, Bjarni J. Vilhjalmsson
Summary: The authors have developed a multi-polygenic score framework that increases prediction accuracy for complex diseases and traits. This framework leverages a large library of polygenic scores and is well-suited for emerging biobank data. By utilizing genetically correlated phenotypes, the sample size can be effectively increased without the need for costly and time-consuming collection of additional samples.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zongchang Li, David Li, Xiaogang Chen
Summary: This study shows differences in genetic association between bipolar I disorder (BD-I) and bipolar II disorder (BD-II) with schizophrenia (SCZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The study finds that BD-II is more polygenic compared to BD-I, SCZ, and MDD, and there is substantial polygenic overlap between BD-I and SCZ, as well as between BD-I and MDD. The study also identifies specific shared genetic loci between BD subtypes and SCZ or MDD.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Lindsay M. Melhuish Beaupre, Arun K. Tiwari, Vanessa F. Goncalves, Clement C. Zai, Victoria S. Marshe, Cathryn M. Lewis, Nicholas G. Martin, Andrew M. McIntosh, Mark J. Adams, Bernhard T. Baune, Doug F. Levinson, Dorret I. Boomsma, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Gerome Breen, Steve Hamilton, Swapnil Awasthi, Stephan Ripke, Lisa Jones, Ian Jones, Enda M. Byrne, Ian B. Hickie, James P. Potash, Jianxin Shi, Myrna M. Weissman, Yuri Milaneschi, Stanley I. Shyn, Eco J. C. de Geus, Gonneke Willemsen, Gregory M. Brown, James L. Kennedy
Summary: The prevalence of insomnia and hypersomnia is higher in depressed individuals than the general population, with significant genetic overlap between depression and insomnia. This overlap may lead to novel drug targets for future research in the treatment of these disorders.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Michael D. E. Sewell, Lorena Jimenez-Sanchez, Xueyi Shen, Amelia J. Edmondson-Stait, Claire Green, Mark J. Adams, Olivia M. Rifai, Andrew M. McIntosh, Donald M. Lyall, Heather C. Whalley, Stephen M. Lawrie
Summary: Major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and bipolar disorder (BD) share both common and distinct genetic risk factors, which are associated with peripheral abnormalities. Peripheral markers associated with these disorders are both shared and disorder-specific, suggesting potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in major psychiatric disorders.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Sandra Machlitt-Northen, Robert Keers, Patricia B. Munroe, David M. Howard, Vassily Trubetskoy, Michael Pluess
Summary: The study found that environmental and psychosocial risk factors for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder are partially associated with children's genetic risk for these psychiatric disorders. Single-parent families and lack of father's involvement in child care are correlated with genetic risk for schizophrenia. Moreover, indicators of low socioeconomic status are associated with heightened genetic risk for major depressive disorder in children. Sensitivity analyses showed that more than half of the significant correlations reflected passive gene-environment correlation.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zhuoliang Hou, Wenhao Jiang, Fan Li, Xiaoyun Liu, Zhenghua Hou, Yingying Yin, Haisan Zhang, Hongxing Zhang, Chunming Xie, Zhijun Zhang, Youyong Kong, Yonggui Yuan
Summary: This study discovered differences in individual functional connectivity variations between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy individuals, and genetic risk may affect the clinical manifestations of depression through brain function heterogeneity.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yazheng Di, Jingying Wang, Xiaoqian Liu, Tingshao Zhu
Summary: The combined biomarker of PRS and voice features showed improved performance in detecting MDD compared to individual biomarkers. The study suggests the feasibility of using genetic and voice biomarkers in the diagnosis of MDD, with multilayer perceptron demonstrating advantages in detection capability.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah Wand, Samuel A. Lambert, Cecelia Tamburro, Michael A. Iacocca, Jack W. O'Sullivan, Catherine Sillari, Iftikhar J. Kullo, Robb Rowley, Jacqueline S. Dron, Deanna Brockman, Eric Venner, Mark I. McCarthy, Antonis C. Antoniou, Douglas F. Easton, Robert A. Hegele, Amit V. Khera, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Charles Kooperberg, Karen Edwards, Katherine Vlessis, Kim Kinnear, John N. Danesh, Helen Parkinson, Erin M. Ramos, Megan C. Roberts, Kelly E. Ormond, Muin J. Khoury, A. Cecile J. W. Janssens, Katrina A. B. Goddard, Peter Kraft, Jaqueline A. L. MacArthur, Michael Inouye, Genevieve L. Wojcik
Summary: Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) aggregate results from genome-wide association studies to estimate disease risk, but heterogeneity in their application and reporting hinders translation into clinical care. To address this, Polygenic Risk Score Reporting Standards (PRS-RS) have been proposed, providing a comprehensive framework to enhance the interpretation and evaluation of PRSs for downstream clinical applications. This structured format aims to promote data availability, transparency, and reproducibility, facilitating the progress towards defining best practice in the field.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Ying Ma, Xiang Zhou
Summary: Accurate genetic prediction is crucial for disease screening and personalized medicine, with the development of polygenic scores (PGS) playing a key role in this process. The review presents 46 methods for PGS construction and connects them through a multiple linear regression framework, providing insights into prediction performance for traits with distinct genetic architectures, as well as discussing challenges and future directions in PGS method development.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Karen Fischer, Jacintha M. Tieskens, Michiel A. J. Luijten, Josjan Zijlmans, Hedy A. van Oers, Rowdy de Groot, Daniel van der Doelen, Hanneke van Ewijk, Helen Klip, Rikkert M. van der Lans, Ronald De Meyer, Malindi van der Mheen, Maud M. van Muilekom, I. Hyun Ruisch, Lorynn Teela, Germie van den Berg, Hilgo Bruining, Rachel van der Rijken, Jan Buitelaar, Pieter J. Hoekstra, Ramon Lindauer, Kim J. Oostrom, Wouter Staal, Robert Vermeiren, Ronald Cornet, Lotte Haverman, Meike Bartels, Tinca J. C. Polderman, Arne Popma
Summary: The study aimed to assess internalizing problems before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that internalizing problems were higher during the first peak of the pandemic in the general population, but similar or lower levels were observed over the course of the pandemic. Children in the clinical population reported more internalizing symptoms during the pandemic, while parents did not report differences. These findings indicate negative effects of the pandemic on children and adolescents' internalizing problems in both general and clinical populations.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Psychology, Biological
Karin J. H. Verweij, Abdel Abdellaoui
Summary: Non-random mating affects the genetic makeup of populations, highlighting the importance of large-scale genetic studies beyond European-descended groups.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Abdel Abdellaoui, Loic Yengo, Karin J. H. Verweij, Peter M. Visscher
Summary: The GWAS era has led to significant discoveries in various fields, including population genetics, complex trait genetics, epidemiology, social science, and medicine. The emergence of large-scale biobanks and whole-genome sequencing will further enhance our understanding of human genetic variation and its implications for complex traits and diseases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Dirk J. A. Smit, Melissa Bakker, Abdel Abdellaoui, Alexander E. Hoetink, Nienke Vulink, Damiaan Denys
Summary: In this study, the genetic etiology of misophonia was investigated, revealing significant correlations between this symptom and tinnitus, major depression disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as personality traits consistent with anxiety and PTSD.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shu Liu, Abdel Abdellaoui, Karin J. H. Verweij, Guido A. van Wingen
Summary: This study investigates the impact of gene expression on brain structural and functional abnormalities in MDD. By comparing gray matter volume and resting-state functional measures in a Chinese sample, the study finds that whole gene expression is positively associated with structural abnormalities while negatively associated with functional abnormalities. Furthermore, the study identifies individual genes with opposite relationships between expression levels and brain abnormalities in MDD patients. The MDD-related genes are enriched in brain tissue, cortical cells, and biological pathways.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Lianne P. de Vries, Anne Bulow, Dirk H. M. Pelt, Savannah Boele, Meike Bartels, Loes Keijsers
Summary: This study examined the changes in emotional intensity and variability of adolescents and parents during the second COVID-19 lockdown in the Netherlands. The results showed that parents experienced an unexpected increase in positive emotional intensity after the lockdown onset, but there were no immediate changes in negative emotional intensity or variability. However, both adolescents and parents reported gradual increases in negative emotional intensity and variability as the lockdown prolonged. There were individual differences in the effects, which were partly explained by baseline life satisfaction and depressive symptoms.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENCE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Dirk H. M. Pelt, Inga Schwabe, Meike Bartels
Summary: In this study, the researchers examined the impact of skewed sum scores on estimated gene-by-environment interaction effects for life satisfaction and happiness with perceived social support. By analyzing item-level data from a large adult twin sample, they found that skewedness led to false GxE effects, with the greatest effect observed for social support. Furthermore, they found that heritability estimates for life satisfaction decreased with higher social support in the item response theory model. These findings highlight the importance of using IRT to address psychometric issues in GxE research on well-being.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lianne P. de Vries, Perline A. Demange, Bart M. L. Baselmans, Christiaan H. Vinkers, Dirk H. M. Pelt, Meike Bartels
Summary: Happiness and meaning in life have a negative relationship with depressive symptoms, and genetic variants play a role in this association. By subtracting GWAS summary statistics, separate GWASs were obtained for pure happiness and pure meaning, revealing significant SNPs for each. The heritability and genetic correlation between well-being measures reduced after subtraction, and pure well-being became unrelated to traits associated with depressive symptoms. These findings provide insights into the genetic variance of well-being and can guide future interventions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART B-NEUROPSYCHIATRIC GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Nikki Hubers, Fiona A. A. Hagenbeek, Rene Pool, Sebastien Dejean, Amy C. C. Harms, Peter J. J. Roetman, Catharina E. M. van Beijsterveldt, Vassilios Fanos, Erik A. A. Ehli, Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren, Meike Bartels, Jouke Jan Hottenga, Thomas Hankemeier, Jenny van Dongen, Dorret I. I. Boomsma
Summary: The field of multi-omics is evolving and aims to integrate and analyze data from multiple omics levels simultaneously. In this study, genomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics data were integrated in a multi-omics framework to identify biomarkers for ADHD and explore the connections among these omics levels.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART B-NEUROPSYCHIATRIC GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Gianmarco Mignogna, Caitlin E. E. Carey, Robbee Wedow, Nikolas Baya, Mattia Cordioli, Nicola Pirastu, Rino Bellocco, Kathryn Fiuza Malerbi, Michel G. G. Nivard, Benjamin M. M. Neale, Raymond K. K. Walters, Andrea Ganna
Summary: Nonresponse behavior has a significant impact on social and behavioral research. A study in the UK Biobank found that participant nonresponse was predicted by the options 'prefer not to answer' and 'I don't know', even after controlling for education and health factors. These nonresponse answers showed high genetic correlations with education, health, and income, and had unique genetic associations that could bias studies of traits correlated with nonresponse.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Shu Liu, Abdel Abdellaoui, Karin J. H. Verweij, Guido A. van Wingen
Summary: Using the UK Biobank neuroimaging dataset, researchers found that large-scale neuroimaging data are important for replicable brain-phenotype associations, which can be mitigated by preselection of individuals, and small-scale studies may have reported false positive findings.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Margot P. van de Weijer, Perline A. Demange, Dirk H. M. Pelt, Meike Bartels, Michel G. Nivard
Summary: This study examines the associations between educational duration and well-being, anxiety and mood disorders, and cardiovascular health. The results suggest that these associations are more likely due to confounding or bias rather than a true causal effect of education. The study emphasizes the importance of using multiple methods to enhance our understanding of the causal consequences of educational duration.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Education, Special
A. Honingh, L. Veerman, M. Bartels, P. Sterkenburg
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Camiel M. van der Laan, Steve G. A. van de Weijer, Rene Pool, Jouke-Jan Hottenga, Toos C. E. M. van Beijsterveldt, Gonneke Willemsen, Meike Bartels, Michel G. Nivard, Dorret I. Boomsma
Summary: Family members resemble each other in their propensity for aggression, with approximately 50% of the variance in aggression explained by genetic influences. This study investigated the importance of PGSs and found significant direct effects on aggression for PGSs based on early-life aggression, educational attainment, and ADHD, though the explained variance was low. Further research on other PGSs related to aggression and related phenotypes is needed to determine the generalizability of these findings to overall genetic influences on aggression.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)