Study of 300,486 individuals identifies 148 independent genetic loci influencing general cognitive functionShow others and affiliations
2018 (English)In: Nature Communications, E-ISSN 2041-1723, Vol. 9, no 1, article id 2098Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
General cognitive function is a prominent and relatively stable human trait that is associated with many important life outcomes. We combine cognitive and genetic data from the CHARGE and COGENT consortia, and UK Biobank (total N = 300,486; age 16-102) and find 148 genome-wide significant independent loci (P < 5 × 10-8) associated with general cognitive function. Within the novel genetic loci are variants associated with neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, physical and psychiatric illnesses, and brain structure. Gene-based analyses find 709 genes associated with general cognitive function. Expression levels across the cortex are associated with general cognitive function. Using polygenic scores, up to 4.3% of variance in general cognitive function is predicted in independent samples. We detect significant genetic overlap between general cognitive function, reaction time, and many health variables including eyesight, hypertension, and longevity. In conclusion we identify novel genetic loci and pathways contributing to the heritability of general cognitive function.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Nature Publishing Group, 2018. Vol. 9, no 1, article id 2098
Keywords [en]
brain, cognition, data set, genetic analysis, genome, identification method, nervous system disorder, adolescent, adult, aged, angina pectoris, Article, brain cortex, controlled study, gene expression, gene locus, genetic correlation, grip strength, heart infarction, human, hypertension, longevity, lung cancer, major clinical study, major depression, osteoarthritis, response time, vision
National Category
Neurology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-41589DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04362-xISI: 000433297900009PubMedID: 29844566Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85048027481OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-41589DiVA, id: diva2:1251134
2018-09-262018-09-262023-03-28Bibliographically approved