Genomic Studies Across the Lifespan Point to Early Mechanisms Determining Subcortical Volumes.
Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging
; 7(6): 616-628, 2022 06.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34700051
BACKGROUND: Subcortical brain structures play a key role in pathological processes of age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Mounting evidence also suggests that early-life factors may have an impact on the development of common late-life neurological diseases, including genetic factors that can influence both brain maturation and neurodegeneration. METHODS: Using large population-based brain imaging datasets across the lifespan (N ≤ 40,628), we aimed to 1) estimate the heritability of subcortical volumes in young (18-35 years), middle (35-65 years), and older (65+ years) age, and their genetic correlation across age groups; 2) identify whether genetic loci associated with subcortical volumes in older persons also show associations in early adulthood, and explore underlying genes using transcriptome-wide association studies; and 3) explore their association with neurological phenotypes. RESULTS: Heritability of subcortical volumes consistently decreased with increasing age. Genetic risk scores for smaller caudate nucleus, putamen, and hippocampus volume in older adults were associated with smaller volumes in young adults. Individually, 10 loci associated with subcortical volumes in older adults also showed associations in young adults. Within these loci, transcriptome-wide association studies showed that expression of several genes in brain tissues (especially MYLK2 and TUFM) was associated with subcortical volumes in both age groups. One risk variant for smaller caudate nucleus volume (TUFM locus) was associated with lower cognitive performance. Genetically predicted Alzheimer's disease was associated with smaller subcortical volumes in middle and older age. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide novel insights into the genetic determinants of subcortical volumes across the lifespan. More studies are needed to decipher the underlying biology and clinical impact.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Imagen por Resonancia Magnética
/
Longevidad
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Adult
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Aged
/
Aged80
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos