Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
I-Hang Chung, Yu-Shu Huang, Ting-Hsuan Fang, Chia-Hsiang Chen
Summary: Schizophrenia and affective disorder are complex mental disorders with high heritability. Rare variants contribute to the genetic liability of these two disorders. Whole genome sequencing analysis identified multiple rare inherited variants in two families, providing evidence that these variants may contribute to the heritability of psychiatric disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Annabel P. P. Matison, Anbupalam Thalamuthu, Victoria M. M. Flood, Julian N. N. Trollor, Vibeke S. S. Catts, Margaret J. J. Wright, David Ames, Henry Brodaty, Perminder S. S. Sachdev, Simone Reppermund, Karen A. A. Mather
Summary: Previous research suggests that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables may protect against depression in older adults. This study aims to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on fruit and vegetable consumption in older adults, and explore the potential shared genetic influences on consumption and depression.
Article
Psychiatry
Sabrina Doering, Paul Lichtenstein, Christopher Gillberg, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Sebastian Lundstrom
Summary: Adolescent internalizing problems like anxiety and depression are negatively associated with educational outcomes in later adolescence, with genetic factors accounting for a large proportion of this correlation. Internalizing problems are an important risk factor for subsequent educational underachievement, surpassing the risk conferred by childhood genetic factors.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giuliana G. Repetti, Yuri Kim, Alexandre C. Pereira, Jodie Ingles, Mark W. Russell, Neal K. Lakdawala, Carolyn Y. Ho, Sharlene Day, Christopher Semsarian, Barbara McDonough, Steven R. DePalma, Daniel Quiat, Eric M. Green, Christine E. Seidman, J. G. Seidman
Summary: The clinical expression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is influenced by background genetic variation and environmental factors. A study of 11 pairs of monozygotic HCM twins showed discordant cardiac morphology even among twins with the same pathogenic variant, indicating a significant role for epigenetics and environment in HCM disease progression. Whole genome sequencing analysis did not reveal notable somatic genetic variants to explain the clinical differences in the twins.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhaoying Li, Weijing Wang, Xiaocao Tian, Haiping Duan, Chunsheng Xu, Dongfeng Zhang
Summary: In a bivariate twin study focused on genetic variants associated with BMI-SBP, BMI-DBP, and SBP-DBP, new single nucleotides and expression quantitative trait loci were identified. Furthermore, gene-based and pathway analyses revealed nominally associated genes and pathways related to BMI and BP traits, providing important insights for future research on the pathogenesis of hypertension and obesity in the northern Chinese population.
Article
Microbiology
David Goldeck, Lisbeth Aagaard Larsen, Kaare Christensen, Klaus Hamprecht, Lilly ottinger, Karin Hahnel, Graham Pawelec
Summary: Frequencies of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in peripheral blood may serve as informative biomarkers for certain disease states. The influence of genetics and lifetime pathogen exposures on Treg and MDSC frequencies remains largely unexplored. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can impact the frequencies of Tregs and MDSCs, but overall human suppressor cell levels appear to be more influenced by immunological history of exposures than genetics.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Kathleen S. Paul, Christopher M. Stojanowski, Toby Hughes, Alan Brook, Grant C. Townsend
Summary: The study reveals high levels of genetic correlation in human anterior dental morphology, particularly between corresponding teeth on both sides, and to a lesser extent among permanent dental traits. Results indicate the presence of a morphological module spanning deciduous and permanent dentition, with lower correlation among traits within individual teeth.
ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Helga Ask, Rosa Cheesman, Eshim S. Jami, Daniel F. Levey, Kirstin L. Purves, Heike Weber
Summary: Anxiety disorders are common worldwide and often have early onset, with long-lasting consequences. While research on the genetics of anxiety has lagged behind other psychiatric disorders, progress is being made, offering opportunities for future research and potentially new therapeutic approaches. Investigations into gene-environment interactions and causal associations with related traits and disorders are expected to expand, with a focus on larger sample sizes and studies among young individuals.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emma M. Coomans, Jori Tomassen, Rik Ossenkoppele, Sandeep S. Golla, Marijke den Hollander, Lyduine E. Collij, Emma Weltings, Sophie M. van der Landen, Emma E. Wolters, Albert D. Windhorst, Frederik Barkhof, Eco J. C. de Geus, Philip Scheltens, Pieter Jelle Visser, Bart N. M. van Berckel, Anouk den Braber
Summary: Coomans et al. found substantial similarities in tau load and spatial distribution among identical twins, indicating a significant role of genetic factors in tau pathology. However, differences between twin pairs suggest the influence of environmental factors in tau accumulation. This study provides insights into factors associated with tau pathology and may be important for preventive strategies against Alzheimer's disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeesun Jung, Daniel L. McCartney, Josephin Wagner, Daniel B. Rosoff, Melanie Schwandt, Hui Sun, Corinde E. Wiers, Luana Martins de Carvalho, Nora D. Volkow, Rosie M. Walker, Archie Campbell, David J. Porteous, Andrew M. McIntosh, Riccardo E. Marioni, Steve Horvath, Kathryn L. Evans, Falk W. Lohoff
Summary: Chronic heavy alcohol consumption is associated with accelerated cellular aging, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study used a novel approach to investigate the role of alcohol use on aging by measuring DNA methylation-derived telomere length (DNAmTL). The findings showed that DNAmTL was significantly shorter in individuals with alcohol use disorder compared to healthy controls, and this association was independent of age, sex, race, and blood cell composition. DNAmTL shortening was strongly associated with chronic heavy alcohol use and elevated liver function markers.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Channa E. Marsh, Hannah J. Thomas, Louise H. Naylor, Lawrence G. Dembo, Katrina J. Scurrah, Daniel J. Green
Summary: Cardiac adaptation to exercise is modality-specific, and individuals who have a low response to one mode of exercise may have a high response to another. Genetic impact on adaptation to exercise is limited in this study.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jennifer R. Goldschmied, Karine Lacourse, Greg Maislin, Jacques Delfrate, Philip Gehrman, Frances M. Pack, Bethany Staley, Allan Pack, Magdy Younes, Samuel T. Kuna, Simon C. Warby
Summary: The study aimed to definitively assess the heritability of sleep spindle characteristics, utilizing polysomnography data of twin pairs. The results found robust evidence supporting strong heritability of spindles regardless of detector method, although not all spindle characteristics were equally heritable and each detection method produced different results. The heritability of sleep spindle in stage N2 sleep differs for individual spindle characteristics and depends on the spindle detector used for analysis.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Geon Woo Kang, Young Ho Kim, Christine Hong, Sunghae Woo, Joohon Sung, Yun-Mi Song, Jeong Won Shin, Hwa Sung Chae
Summary: This study investigated the heritability of dental cephalometric variables and found that vertical linear measurements and certain tooth angle measurements have high heritability in monozygotic twins.
CLINICAL ORAL INVESTIGATIONS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Amanda E. Selwood, Vibeke S. Catts, Katya Numbers, Teresa Lee, Anbupalam Thalamuthu, Margaret J. Wright, Perminder S. Sachdev
Summary: This study aimed to examine the heritability of subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) and their correlations with memory ability, personality, and mood. The results showed that SCCs had moderate heritability and were genetically, environmentally, and phenotypically correlated with memory performance, personality, and mood. Specifically, mood was environmentally related to SCCs, while memory performance had a genetic correlation with SCCs. The link between personality and SCCs was mediated by mood. These findings suggest that SCCs are influenced by both mood and memory performance, and these determinants are not mutually exclusive.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jorgen Rosen, Granit Kastrati, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Henrik Larsson, Fredrik Ahs
Summary: Maintaining appropriate interpersonal distance is an evolutionarily conserved behavior that can be adapted through learning. The study suggests that genetic factors may influence interpersonal distance monitoring via the occipital face area (OFA), while the amygdala may play a role in experience-dependent adjustments of interpersonal distance.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)