Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Browse
The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex.pdf (2.6 MB)
Download file

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex.

Download (2.6 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2021-03-30, 13:13 authored by Katrina L Grasby, Saud Alhusaini, Norman DelantyNorman Delanty, Christopher D. Whelan, Colin P. Doherty, Gianpiero CavalleriGianpiero Cavalleri, ENIGMA Consortium
The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Funding

Details of funding agencies are on the paper

History

Comments

This is the author’s version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the AAAS for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science on March 20. 367. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aay6690

Published Citation

Grasby KL, et al The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex. Science. 2020 ;367(6484):eaay6690.

Publication Date

20 March 2020

PubMed ID

32193296

Department/Unit

  • Beaumont Hospital
  • FutureNeuro Centre
  • School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

Research Area

  • Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Publisher

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Version

  • Accepted Version (Postprint)