3 research outputs found
Genetics of early-life head circumference and genetic correlations with neurological, psychiatric and cognitive outcomes
This is the final version. Available from BMC via the DOI in this record. Availability of data and materials
GWAS summary data will be deposited at the EGG website (https://egg-consortium.org/) at publication. Individual study data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Abstract
Background: Head circumference is associated with intelligence and tracks from childhood into adulthood.
Methods: We performed a genome-wide association study meta-analysis and follow-up of head circumference in a
total of 29,192 participants between 6 and 30 months of age.
Results: Seven loci reached genome-wide signifcance in the combined discovery and replication analysis of which
three loci near ARFGEF2, MYCL1, and TOP1, were novel. We observed positive genetic correlations for early-life head
circumference with adult intracranial volume, years of schooling, childhood and adult intelligence, but not with adult
psychiatric, neurological, or personality-related phenotypes.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the biological processes underlying early-life head circumference
overlap largely with those of adult head circumference. The associations of early-life head circumference with cognitive outcomes across the life course are partly explained by genetics.Wellcome TrustSimons FoundationWellcome TrustMRC & WTUniversity of Southern DenmarkMax Planck core societ