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Long-Term Stability of Cortisol Production and Metabolism Throughout Adolescence: Longitudinal Twin Study. Twin Res Hum Genet 2020; 23:33-38. [PMID: 32209144 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2020.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Life-course experiences have been postulated to program hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, suggesting that HPA axis activity is, at least partially, stable over time. Yet, there is paucity of data on the long-term stability of cortisol production and metabolism. We performed a prospective follow-up study in twins recruited from a nationwide register to estimate the stability of cortisol production and metabolism over time, and the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to this stability. In total, 218 healthy mono- and dizygotic twins were included. At the ages of 9, 12 and 17 years, morning urine samples were collected for assessment (by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) of cortisol metabolites, enabling the calculation of cortisol metabolite excretion rate and cortisol metabolism activity. Our results showed a low stability for both cortisol metabolite excretion rate (with correlations <.20) and cortisol metabolism activity indices (with correlations of .25 to .46 between 9 and 12 years, -.02 to .15 between 12 and 17 years and .09 to .28 between 9 and 17 years). Because of the low stability over time, genetic and environmental contributions to this stability were difficult to assess, although it seemed to be mostly determined by genetic factors. The low stability in both cortisol production and metabolism between ages 9 and 17 years reflects the dynamic nature of the HPA axis.
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Piégu B, Arensburger P, Beauclair L, Chabault M, Raynaud E, Coustham V, Brard S, Guizard S, Burlot T, Le Bihan-Duval E, Bigot Y. Variations in genome size between wild and domesticated lineages of fowls belonging to the Gallus gallus species. Genomics 2020; 112:1660-1673. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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van Keulen BJ, Dolan CV, Andrew R, Walker BR, Hulshoff Pol HE, Boomsma DI, Rotteveel J, Finken MJJ. Heritability of Cortisol Production and Metabolism Throughout Adolescence. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5586817. [PMID: 31608377 PMCID: PMC7046020 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism emerge with age and may be explained by genetic factors. OBJECTIVE To estimate the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism throughout adolescence. DESIGN Prospective follow-up study of twins. SETTING Nationwide register. PARTICIPANTS 218 mono- and dizygotic twins (N = 109 pairs) born between 1995 amd 1996, recruited from the Netherlands Twin Register. Cortisol metabolites were determined in 213, 169, and 160 urine samples at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The total contribution of genetic factors (broad-sense heritability) and shared and unshared environmental influences to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and activities of 5α-reductase, 5β-reductase, and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and cytochrome P450 3A4. RESULTS For cortisol production rate at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, broad-sense heritability was estimated as 42%, 30%, and 0%, respectively, and the remainder of the variance was explained by unshared environmental factors. For cortisol metabolism indices, the following heritability was observed: for the A-ring reductases (5α-and 5β-reductases), broad-sense heritability increased with age (to >50%), while for the other indices (renal 11β-HSD2, global 11β-HSD, and CYP3A4), the contribution of genetic factors was highest (68%, 18%, and 67%, respectively) at age 12. CONCLUSIONS The contribution of genetic factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production decreased between 12 and 17y, indicative of a predominant role of individual circumstances. For cortisol metabolism, distinct patterns of genetic and environmental influences were observed, with heritability that either increased with age or peaked at age 12y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt J van Keulen
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence and Requests: Britt J van Keulen, MD, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric endocrinology, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail:
| | - Conor V Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth Andrew
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brian R Walker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol
- Department of Psychiatry, Brian Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Rotteveel
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn J J Finken
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Liu C, Molenaar PCM, Neiderhiser JM. The Impact of Variation in Twin Relatedness on Estimates of Heritability and Environmental Influences. Behav Genet 2017; 48:44-54. [PMID: 29098497 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-017-9875-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
By taking advantage of the natural variation in genetic relatedness among identical (monozygotic: MZ) and fraternal (dizygotic: DZ) twins, twin studies are able to estimate genetic and environmental contributions to complex human behaviors. Recently concerns have been raised about the accuracy of twin studies in light of findings of genetic and epigenetic changes in twins. One of the concerns raised is that MZ twins are not 100% genetically and epigenetically similar because they show variations in their genomes and epigenomes leading to inaccurate estimates of heritability. This article presents findings from a simulation study that examined the degree of bias in estimates of heritability and environmentality when the genetic and epigenetic similarity of MZ twins differs from 1.00 and when the genetic and epigenetic similarity of DZ twins differs from 0.50. The findings suggest that in the standard biometric model when MZ or DZ twin similarity differs from 1.00 or 0.50, respectively, the variance that should be attributed to genetic influences is instead attributed to nonshared environmental influences, thus deflating the estimates of genetic influences and inflating the estimates of nonshared environmental influences. Although estimates of genetic and nonshared environmental influences from the standard biometric model were found to deviate from "true" values, the bias was usually smaller than 10% points indicating that the interpretations of findings from previous twin studies are mostly correct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 431 Moore Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Peter C M Molenaar
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 415 BBH Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jenae M Neiderhiser
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 431 Moore Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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5
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Abstract
The Avera Twin Register (ATR) aims to study environmental and genetic influences on health and disease using a longitudinal repository of biological specimens, survey data, and health information provided by multiples and their family members. The ATR is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which is a rural and frontier area in the Midwestern United States with a density of four people per square kilometer. The target area of the ATR is South Dakota and the four surrounding states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and Nebraska. Enrollment of twins and higher-order multiples of all ages and their family members started on May 18, 2016. A description of the first 13 months of enrollment in this longitudinal register will be provided. The ATR will collect longitudinal data on lifestyle, including diet and activity levels, aging, complex traits, and diseases. Upon registration, all participants are genotyped on the Illumina Global Screening Array (GSA) and twins and higher order multiples receive information on their zygosity. The ATR aims to contribute to large international GWAS consortia and collaborates closely with the Netherlands Twin Register, allowing for the comparison of collected data and analyses of results. In addition, the ATR will address twin-specific questions.
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Relative Telomere Repeat Mass in Buccal and Leukocyte-Derived DNA. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170765. [PMID: 28125671 PMCID: PMC5268389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length has garnered interest due to the potential role it may play as a biomarker for the cellular aging process. Telomere measurements obtained from blood-derived DNA are often used in epidemiological studies. However, the invasive nature of blood draws severely limits sample collection, particularly with children. Buccal cells are commonly sampled for DNA isolation and thus may present a non-invasive alternative for telomere measurement. Buccal and leukocyte derived DNA obtained from samples collected at the same time period were analyzed for telomere repeat mass (TRM). TRM was measured in buccal-derived DNA samples from individuals for whom previous TRM data from blood samples existed. TRM measurement was performed by qPCR and was normalized to the single copy 36B4 gene relative to a reference DNA sample (K562). Correlations between TRM from blood and buccal DNA were obtained and also between the same blood DNA samples measured in separate laboratories. Using the classical twin design, TRM heritability was estimated (N = 1892, MZ = 1044, DZ = 775). Buccal samples measured for TRM showed a significant correlation with the blood-1 (R = 0.39, p < 0.01) and blood-2 (R = 0.36, p < 0.01) samples. Sex and age effects were observed within the buccal samples as is the norm within blood-derived DNA. The buccal, blood-1, and blood-2 measurements generated heritability estimates of 23.3%, 47.6% and 22.2%, respectively. Buccal derived DNA provides a valid source for the determination of TRM, paving the way for non-invasive projects, such as longitudinal studies in children.
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7
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A method to customize population-specific arrays for genome-wide association testing. Eur J Hum Genet 2016; 25:267-270. [PMID: 27876820 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2016.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As an example of optimizing population-specific genotyping assays using a whole-genome sequence reference set, we detail the approach that followed to design the Axiom-NL array which is characterized by an improved imputation backbone based on the Genome of the Netherlands (GoNL) reference sequence and, compared with earlier arrays, a more comprehensive inclusion of SNPs on chromosomes X, Y, and the mitochondria. Common variants on the array were selected to be compatible with the Illumina Psych Array and the Affymetrix UK Biobank Axiom array. About 3.5% of the array (23 977 markers) represents SNPs from the GWAS catalog, including SNPs at FTO, APOE, Ion-channels, killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, and HLA. Around 26 000 markers associated with common psychiatric disorders are included, as well as 6705 markers suggested to be associated with fertility and twinning. The platform can thus be used for risk profiling, detection of new variants, as well as ancestry determination. Results of coverage tests in 249 unrelated subjects with GoNL-based sequence data show that after imputation with 1000G as a reference, the median concordance between original and imputed genotypes is above 98%. The median imputation quality R2 for MAF thresholds of 0.001, 0.01, 0.05, and >0.05 are 0.05, 0.28, 0.80, 0.99, respectively, for the 1000G imputed SNPs, with a similar quality for the autosomes and X chromosome, showing a good genome-wide coverage for association studies after imputation.
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Pappa I, St Pourcain B, Benke K, Cavadino A, Hakulinen C, Nivard MG, Nolte IM, Tiesler CMT, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Davies GE, Evans DM, Geoffroy MC, Grallert H, Groen-Blokhuis MM, Hudziak JJ, Kemp JP, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, McMahon G, Mileva-Seitz VR, Motazedi E, Power C, Raitakari OT, Ring SM, Rivadeneira F, Rodriguez A, Scheet PA, Seppälä I, Snieder H, Standl M, Thiering E, Timpson NJ, Veenstra R, Velders FP, Whitehouse AJO, Smith GD, Heinrich J, Hypponen E, Lehtimäki T, Middeldorp CM, Oldehinkel AJ, Pennell CE, Boomsma DI, Tiemeier H. A genome-wide approach to children's aggressive behavior: The EAGLE consortium. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171:562-72. [PMID: 26087016 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Individual differences in aggressive behavior emerge in early childhood and predict persisting behavioral problems and disorders. Studies of antisocial and severe aggression in adulthood indicate substantial underlying biology. However, little attention has been given to genome-wide approaches of aggressive behavior in children. We analyzed data from nine population-based studies and assessed aggressive behavior using well-validated parent-reported questionnaires. This is the largest sample exploring children's aggressive behavior to date (N = 18,988), with measures in two developmental stages (N = 15,668 early childhood and N = 16,311 middle childhood/early adolescence). First, we estimated the additive genetic variance of children's aggressive behavior based on genome-wide SNP information, using genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA). Second, genetic associations within each study were assessed using a quasi-Poisson regression approach, capturing the highly right-skewed distribution of aggressive behavior. Third, we performed meta-analyses of genome-wide associations for both the total age-mixed sample and the two developmental stages. Finally, we performed a gene-based test using the summary statistics of the total sample. GCTA quantified variance tagged by common SNPs (10-54%). The meta-analysis of the total sample identified one region in chromosome 2 (2p12) at near genome-wide significance (top SNP rs11126630, P = 5.30 × 10(-8) ). The separate meta-analyses of the two developmental stages revealed suggestive evidence of association at the same locus. The gene-based analysis indicated association of variation within AVPR1A with aggressive behavior. We conclude that common variants at 2p12 show suggestive evidence for association with childhood aggression. Replication of these initial findings is needed, and further studies should clarify its biological meaning. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Pappa
- School of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Beate St Pourcain
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Kelly Benke
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Mental Health Department, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alana Cavadino
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Hakulinen
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michel G Nivard
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam (NCA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ilja M Nolte
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carla M T Tiesler
- Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutritional Medicine, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Gareth E Davies
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - David M Evans
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Marie-Claude Geoffroy
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Harald Grallert
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Maria M Groen-Blokhuis
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James J Hudziak
- Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Vermont
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, The Netherlands
| | - John P Kemp
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - George McMahon
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Viara R Mileva-Seitz
- School of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ehsan Motazedi
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Power
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Olli T Raitakari
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku and Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Susan M Ring
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Rivadeneira
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, The Netherlands
| | - Alina Rodriguez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A Scheet
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas/MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ilkka Seppälä
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, University of Tampere School of Medicine, Tampere, Finland
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marie Standl
- Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Thiering
- Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutritional Medicine, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicholas J Timpson
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - René Veenstra
- Department of Sociology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur P Velders
- Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Joachim Heinrich
- Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Elina Hypponen
- School of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- School of Population Health and Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, University of Tampere School of Medicine, Tampere, Finland
| | - Christel M Middeldorp
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam (NCA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of child and adolescent psychiatry, GGZ in Geest/VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albertine J Oldehinkel
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Craig E Pennell
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Estimation of Genetic Relationships Between Individuals Across Cohorts and Platforms: Application to Childhood Height. Behav Genet 2015; 45:514-28. [PMID: 26036992 PMCID: PMC4561077 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-015-9725-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Combining genotype data across cohorts increases power to estimate the heritability due to common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), based on analyzing a Genetic Relationship Matrix (GRM). However, the combination of SNP data across multiple cohorts may lead to stratification, when for example, different genotyping platforms are used. In the current study, we address issues of combining SNP data from different cohorts, the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) and the Generation R (GENR) study. Both cohorts include children of Northern European Dutch background (N = 3102 + 2826, respectively) who were genotyped on different platforms. We explore imputation and phasing as a tool and compare three GRM-building strategies, when data from two cohorts are (1) just combined, (2) pre-combined and cross-platform imputed and (3) cross-platform imputed and post-combined. We test these three strategies with data on childhood height for unrelated individuals (N = 3124, average age 6.7 years) to explore their effect on SNP-heritability estimates and compare results to those obtained from the independent studies. All combination strategies result in SNP-heritability estimates with a standard error smaller than those of the independent studies. We did not observe significant difference in estimates of SNP-heritability based on various cross-platform imputed GRMs. SNP-heritability of childhood height was on average estimated as 0.50 (SE = 0.10). Introducing cohort as a covariate resulted in ≈2 % drop. Principal components (PCs) adjustment resulted in SNP-heritability estimates of about 0.39 (SE = 0.11). Strikingly, we did not find significant difference between cross-platform imputed and combined GRMs. All estimates were significant regardless the use of PCs adjustment. Based on these analyses we conclude that imputation with a reference set helps to increase power to estimate SNP-heritability by combining cohorts of the same ethnicity genotyped on different platforms. However, important factors should be taken into account such as remaining cohort stratification after imputation and/or phenotypic heterogeneity between and within cohorts. Whether one should use imputation, or just combine the genotype data, depends on the number of overlapping SNPs in relation to the total number of genotyped SNPs for both cohorts, and their ability to tag all the genetic variance related to the specific trait of interest.
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10
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Franić S, Groen-Blokhuis MM, Dolan CV, Kattenberg MV, Pool R, Xiao X, Scheet PA, Ehli EA, Davies GE, van der Sluis S, Abdellaoui A, Hansell NK, Martin NG, Hudziak JJ, van Beijsterveldt CEM, Swagerman SC, Hulshoff Pol HE, de Geus EJC, Bartels M, Ropers HH, Hottenga JJ, Boomsma DI. Intelligence: shared genetic basis between Mendelian disorders and a polygenic trait. Eur J Hum Genet 2015; 23:1378-83. [PMID: 25712083 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple inquiries into the genetic etiology of human traits indicated an overlap between genes underlying monogenic disorders (eg, skeletal growth defects) and those affecting continuous variability of related quantitative traits (eg, height). Extending the idea of a shared genetic basis between a Mendelian disorder and a classic polygenic trait, we performed an association study to examine the effect of 43 genes implicated in autosomal recessive cognitive disorders on intelligence in an unselected Dutch population (N=1316). Using both single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)- and gene-based association testing, we detected an association between intelligence and the genes of interest, with genes ELP2, TMEM135, PRMT10, and RGS7 showing the strongest associations. This is a demonstration of the relevance of genes implicated in monogenic disorders of intelligence to normal-range intelligence, and a corroboration of the utility of employing knowledge on monogenic disorders in identifying the genetic variability underlying complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Franić
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria M Groen-Blokhuis
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Conor V Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychological Methods, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mathijs V Kattenberg
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René Pool
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xiangjun Xiao
- Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paul A Scheet
- Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erik A Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital, University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Gareth E Davies
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital, University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Sophie van der Sluis
- Section Functional Genomics, Department of Clinical Genetics, VU Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Abdel Abdellaoui
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Narelle K Hansell
- Genetic Epidemiology, Molecular Epidemiology and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Genetic Epidemiology, Molecular Epidemiology and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - James J Hudziak
- Department of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Suzanne C Swagerman
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol
- Neuroimaging Research Group, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eco J C de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Meike Bartels
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Hilger Ropers
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jouke-Jan Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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de Zeeuw EL, van Beijsterveldt CEM, Glasner TJ, Bartels M, Ehli EA, Davies GE, Hudziak JJ, Rietveld CA, Groen-Blokhuis MM, Hottenga JJ, de Geus EJC, Boomsma DI. Polygenic scores associated with educational attainment in adults predict educational achievement and ADHD symptoms in children. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2014; 165B:510-20. [PMID: 25044548 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 3 to 7 per cent of all school aged children are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Even after correcting for general cognitive ability, numerous studies report a negative association between ADHD and educational achievement. With polygenic scores we examined whether genetic variants that have a positive influence on educational attainment have a protective effect against ADHD. The effect sizes from a large GWA meta-analysis of educational attainment in adults were used to calculate polygenic scores in an independent sample of 12-year-old children from the Netherlands Twin Register. Linear mixed models showed that the polygenic scores significantly predicted educational achievement, school performance, ADHD symptoms and attention problems in children. These results confirm the genetic overlap between ADHD and educational achievement, indicating that one way to gain insight into genetic variants responsible for variation in ADHD is to include data on educational achievement, which are available at a larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline L de Zeeuw
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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12
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Benke KS, Nivard MG, Velders FP, Walters RK, Pappa I, Scheet PA, Xiao X, Ehli EA, Palmer LJ, Whitehouse AJO, Verhulst FC, Jaddoe VW, Rivadeneira F, Groen-Blokhuis MM, van Beijsterveldt CEM, Davies GE, Hudziak JJ, Lubke GH, Boomsma DI, Pennell CE, Tiemeier H, Middeldorp CM. A genome-wide association meta-analysis of preschool internalizing problems. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2014; 53:667-676.e7. [PMID: 24839885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2013.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Preschool internalizing problems (INT) are highly heritable and moderately genetically stable from childhood into adulthood. Gene-finding studies are scarce. In this study, the influence of genome-wide measured single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was investigated in 3 cohorts (total N = 4,596 children) in which INT was assessed with the same instrument, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). METHOD First, genome-wide association (GWA) results were used for density estimation and genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) to calculate the variance explained by all SNPs. Next, a fixed-effect inverse variance meta-analysis of the 3 GWA analyses was carried out. Finally, the overlap in results with prior GWA studies of childhood and adulthood psychiatric disorders and treatment responses was tested by examining whether SNPs associated with these traits jointly showed a significant signal for INT. RESULTS Genome-wide SNPs explained 13% to 43% of the total variance. This indicates that the genetic architecture of INT mirrors the polygenic model underlying adult psychiatric traits. The meta-analysis did not yield a genome-wide significant signal but was suggestive for the PCSK2 gene located on chromosome 20p12.1. SNPs associated with other psychiatric disorders appeared to be enriched for signals with INT (λ = 1.26, p < .03). CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence that INT is influenced by many common genetic variants, each with a very small effect, and that, even as early as age 3, genetic variants influencing INT overlap with variants that play a role in childhood and adulthood psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly S Benke
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Michel G Nivard
- VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands and the Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University
| | - Fleur P Velders
- Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands and The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center
| | | | - Irene Pappa
- School of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Generation R Study Group, and Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital
| | - Paul A Scheet
- University of Texas / M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, USA
| | | | - Erik A Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Lyle J Palmer
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, University of Toronto, and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Subiaco, Australia, The Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth and the School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley
| | | | | | | | - Maria M Groen-Blokhuis
- VU University Amsterdam and EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center
| | | | | | - James J Hudziak
- Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families, and the University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Vermont, USA
| | - Gitta H Lubke
- University of Notre Dame and with VU University Amsterdam
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, and EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center
| | - Craig E Pennell
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia
| | | | - Christel M Middeldorp
- Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, and GGZinGeest/ VU University Medical Center
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13
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Nivard MG, Mbarek H, Hottenga JJ, Smit JH, Jansen R, Penninx BW, Middeldorp CM, Boomsma DI. Further confirmation of the association between anxiety and CTNND2: replication in humans. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2013; 13:195-201. [PMID: 24256404 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The rat genome sequencing and mapping consortium found evidence for an association between the catenin-δ2 gene (CTNND2) and anxious behaviour. We replicated these results in humans by carrying out a genetic association test in patients with panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder and/or agoraphobia (N = 1714) and controls (N = 4125). We further explored the association between CTNND2 and other psychiatric disorders based on publicly available genome-wide association results. A gene-based test showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CTNND2 have a significantly increased signal (P < 1e(-5) ) and decreased P-values. Single nucleotide polymorphism rs1012176 showed the strongest association with any anxiety disorder (odds ratio: 0.8128, SE = 0.063, P = 0.00099), but this effect was not significant after correction for multiple testing. In available genome-wide association results from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium we found that SNPs in CTNND2 collectively showed an increased signal for schizophrenia (P < 1e(-5) ) and major depressive disorder (P < 1e(-5) ), but not for bipolar disorder. These signals remained significant after correction for potential confounders. The association between CTNND2 and anxiety was not strong enough to be picked up in the current generation of human genome-wide analyses, indicating the usefulness of and need for animal genetic studies to identify candidate genes for further study in human samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Nivard
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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14
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Touwslager RNH, Gielen M, Tan FES, Mulder ALM, Gerver WJM, Zimmermann LJ, Houben AJHM, Zeegers MP, Derom C, Vlietinck R, Maes HH, Stehouwer CDA, Thomis M. Genetic, maternal and placental factors in the association between birth weight and physical fitness: a longitudinal twin study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76423. [PMID: 24194838 PMCID: PMC3806789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adult cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength are related to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Both are possibly related to birth weight, but it is unclear what the importance is of genetic, maternal and placental factors in these associations. Design Peak oxygen uptake and measures of strength, flexibility and balance were obtained yearly during adolescence (10–18 years) in 114 twin pairs in the Leuven Longitudinal Twin Study. Their birth weights had been collected prospectively within the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey. Results We identified linear associations between birth weight and adolescent vertical jump (b = 1.96 cm per kg birth weight, P = 0.02), arm pull (b = 1.85 kg per kg birth weight P = 0.03) and flamingo balance (b = −1.82 attempts to stand one minute per kg birth weight, P = 0.03). Maximum oxygen uptake appeared to have a U-shaped association with birth weight (the smallest and largest children had the lowest uptake, P = 0.01), but this association was no longer significant after adjustment for parental BMI. Using the individual twin’s deviation from his own twin pair’s average birth weight, we found positive associations between birth weight and adolescent vertical jump (b = 3.49, P = 0.0007) and arm pull (b = 3.44, P = 0.02). Δ scores were calculated within the twin pairs as first born twin minus second born twin. Δ birth weight was associated with Δ vertical jump within MZ twin pairs only (b = 2.63, P = 0.009), which indicates importance of placental factors. Conclusions We found evidence for an association between adolescent physical performance (strength, balance and possibly peak oxygen uptake) and birth weight. The associations with vertical jump and arm pull were likely based on individual, more specifically placental (in the case of vertical jump) factors. Our results should be viewed as hypothesis-generating and need confirmation, but potentially support preventive strategies to optimize birth weight, for example via placental function, to target later fitness and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbert N. H. Touwslager
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Marij Gielen
- Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Section of Complex Genetics, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans E. S. Tan
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Antonius L. M. Mulder
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Willem J. M. Gerver
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Luc J. Zimmermann
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons J. H. M. Houben
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maurice P. Zeegers
- Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Section of Complex Genetics, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine Derom
- Department for Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robert Vlietinck
- Department for Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hermine H. Maes
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Coen D. A. Stehouwer
- Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Martine Thomis
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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15
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Association between autozygosity and major depression: stratification due to religious assortment. Behav Genet 2013; 43:455-67. [PMID: 23978897 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-013-9610-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The effects of inbreeding on the health of offspring can be studied by measuring genome-wide autozygosity as the proportion of the genome in runs of homozygosity (F roh) and relate F roh to outcomes such as psychiatric phenotypes. To successfully conduct these studies, the main patterns of variation for genome-wide autozygosity between and within populations should be well understood and accounted for. Within population variation was investigated in the Dutch population by comparing autozygosity between religious and non-religious groups. The Netherlands have a history of societal segregation and assortment based on religious affiliation, which may have increased parental relatedness within religious groups. Religion has been associated with several psychiatric phenotypes, such as major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigated whether there is an association between autozygosity and MDD, and the extent to which this association can be explained by religious affiliation. All F roh analyses included adjustment for ancestry-informative principal components (PCs) and geographic factors. Religious affiliation was significantly associated with autozygosity, showing that F roh has the ability to capture within population differences that are not captured by ancestry-informative PCs or geographic factors. The non-religious group had significantly lower F roh values and significantly more MDD cases, leading to a nominally significant negative association between autozygosity and depression. After accounting for religious affiliation, MDD was not associated with F roh, indicating that the relation between MDD and inbreeding was due to stratification. This study shows how past religious assortment and recent secularization can have genetic consequences in a relatively small country. This warrants accounting for the historical social context and its effects on genetic variation in association studies on psychiatric and other related traits.
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16
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Willemsen G, Vink JM, Abdellaoui A, den Braber A, van Beek JHDA, Draisma HHM, van Dongen J, van 't Ent D, Geels LM, van Lien R, Ligthart L, Kattenberg M, Mbarek H, de Moor MHM, Neijts M, Pool R, Stroo N, Kluft C, Suchiman HED, Slagboom PE, de Geus EJC, Boomsma DI. The Adult Netherlands Twin Register: twenty-five years of survey and biological data collection. Twin Res Hum Genet 2013; 16:271-81. [PMID: 23298648 PMCID: PMC3739974 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2012.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 25 years, the Adult Netherlands Twin Register (ANTR) has collected a wealth of information on physical and mental health, lifestyle, and personality in adolescents and adults. This article provides an overview of the sources of information available, the main research findings, and an outlook for the future. Between 1991 and 2012, longitudinal surveys were completed by twins, their parents, siblings, spouses, and offspring. Data are available for 33,957 participants, with most individuals having completed two or more surveys. Smaller projects provided in-depth phenotyping, including measurements of the autonomic nervous system, neurocognitive function, and brain imaging. For 46% of the ANTR participants, DNA samples are available and whole genome scans have been obtained in more than 11,000 individuals. These data have resulted in numerous studies on heritability, gene x environment interactions, and causality, as well as gene finding studies. In the future, these studies will continue with collection of additional phenotypes, such as metabolomic and telomere length data, and detailed genetic information provided by DNA and RNA sequencing. Record linkage to national registers will allow the study of morbidity and mortality, thus providing insight into the development of health, lifestyle, and behavior across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonneke Willemsen
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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