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Dugo E, Piva F, Giulietti M, Giannella L, Ciavattini A. Copy number variations in endometrial cancer: from biological significance to clinical utility. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2024; 34:1089-1097. [PMID: 38677776 DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2024-005295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of endometrial cancer, which is the most common malignancy of the female reproductive organs, relies not only on onset of mutations but also on copy number variations, the latter consisting of gene gains or losses. In this review, we introduce copy number variations and discuss their involvement in endometrial cancer to determine the perspectives of clinical applicability. We performed a literature analysis on PubMed of publications over the past 30 years and annotated clinical information, including histological and molecular subtypes, adopted molecular techniques for identification of copy number variations, their locations, and the genes involved. We highlight correlations between the presence of some specific copy number variations and myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis, advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, high grade, drug response, and cancer progression. In particular, type I endometrial cancer cells have few copy number variations and are mainly located in 8q and 1q, while type II, high grade, and advanced FIGO stage endometrial cancer cells are aneuploid and have a greater number of copy number variations. As expected, the higher the number of copy number variations the worse the prognosis, especially if they amplify CCNE1, ERBB2, KRAS, MYC, and PIK3CA oncogenes. Great variability in copy number and location among patients with the same endometrial cancer histological or molecular subtype emerged, making them interesting candidates to be explored for the improvement of patient stratification. Copy number variations have a role in endometrial cancer progression, and therefore their detection may be useful for more accurate prediction of prognosis. Unfortunately, only a few studies have been carried out on the role of copy number variations according to the molecular classification of endometrial cancer, and even fewer have explored the correlation with drugs. For these reasons, further studies, also using single cell RNA sequencing, are needed before reaching a clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Dugo
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Matteo Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Luca Giannella
- Woman's Health Sciences Department, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciavattini
- Woman's Health Sciences Department, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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2
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Leone R, Zuglian C, Brambilla R, Morella I. Understanding copy number variations through their genes: a molecular view on 16p11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1407865. [PMID: 38948459 PMCID: PMC11211608 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1407865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include a broad spectrum of pathological conditions that affect >4% of children worldwide, share common features and present a variegated genetic origin. They include clinically defined diseases, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), motor disorders such as Tics and Tourette's syndromes, but also much more heterogeneous conditions like intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy. Schizophrenia (SCZ) has also recently been proposed to belong to NDDs. Relatively common causes of NDDs are copy number variations (CNVs), characterised by the gain or the loss of a portion of a chromosome. In this review, we focus on deletions and duplications at the 16p11.2 chromosomal region, associated with NDDs, ID, ASD but also epilepsy and SCZ. Some of the core phenotypes presented by human carriers could be recapitulated in animal and cellular models, which also highlighted prominent neurophysiological and signalling alterations underpinning 16p11.2 CNVs-associated phenotypes. In this review, we also provide an overview of the genes within the 16p11.2 locus, including those with partially known or unknown function as well as non-coding RNAs. A particularly interesting interplay was observed between MVP and MAPK3 in modulating some of the pathological phenotypes associated with the 16p11.2 deletion. Elucidating their role in intracellular signalling and their functional links will be a key step to devise novel therapeutic strategies for 16p11.2 CNVs-related syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Leone
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Zuglian
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Pavia, Italy
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Morella
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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3
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Schaffer LS, Breunig S, Lawrence JM, Foote IF, Grotzinger AD. Characterizing Genetic Pathways Unique to Autism Spectrum Disorder at Multiple Levels of Biological Analysis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.06.07.24308616. [PMID: 38883730 PMCID: PMC11178016 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.24308616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by atypical patterns of social functioning and repetitive/restricted behaviors. ASD commonly co-occurs with ADHD and, despite their clinical distinctiveness, the two share considerable genetic overlap. Given their shared genetic liability, it is unclear which genetic pathways confer unique risk for ASD independent of ADHD. We applied Genomic Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to GWAS summary statistics for ASD and ADHD, decomposing the genetic signal for ASD into that which is unique to ASD (uASD) and that which is shared with ADHD. We computed genetic correlations between uASD and 75 external traits to estimate genetic overlap between uASD and other clinically relevant phenotypes. We went on to apply Stratified Genomic SEM to identify classes of genes enriched for uASD. Finally, we implemented Transcriptome-Wide SEM (T-SEM) to explore patterns of gene-expression associated with uASD. We observed positive genetic correlations between uASD and several external traits, most notably those relating to cognitive/educational outcomes and internalizing psychiatric traits. Stratified Genomic SEM showed that heritability for uASD was significantly enriched in genes involved in evolutionarily conserved processes, as well as for a histone mark in the germinal matrix. T-SEM revealed 83 unique genes with expression associated with uASD, many of which were novel. These findings delineate the unique biological underpinnings of ASD which exist independent of ADHD and demonstrate the utility of Genomic SEM and its extensions for disambiguating shared and unique risk pathways for genetically overlapping traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas S Schaffer
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Sophie Breunig
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Jeremy M Lawrence
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Isabelle F Foote
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Andrew D Grotzinger
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
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4
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Zhang J, Xu Y, Liu Y, Yue L, Jin H, Chen Y, Wang D, Wang M, Chen G, Yang L, Zhang G, Zhang X, Li S, Zhao H, Zhao Y, Niu G, Gao Y, Cai Z, Yang F, Zhu C, Zhu D. Genetic Testing for Global Developmental Delay in Early Childhood. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2415084. [PMID: 38837156 PMCID: PMC11154162 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.15084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Global developmental delay (GDD) is characterized by a complex etiology, diverse phenotypes, and high individual heterogeneity, presenting challenges for early clinical etiologic diagnosis. Cognitive impairment is the core symptom, and despite the pivotal role of genetic factors in GDD development, the understanding of them remains limited. Objectives To assess the utility of genetic detection in patients with GDD and to examine the potential molecular pathogenesis of GDD to identify targets for early intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter, prospective cohort study enrolled patients aged 12 to 60 months with GDD from 6 centers in China from July 4, 2020, to August 31, 2023. Participants underwent trio whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) coupled with copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). Bioinformatics analysis was used to unravel pathogenesis and identify therapeutic targets. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes of this study involved enhancing the rate of positive genetic diagnosis for GDD, broadening the scope of genetic testing indications, and investigating the underlying pathogenesis. The classification of children into levels of cognitive impairment was based on the developmental quotient assessed using the Gesell scale. Results The study encompassed 434 patients with GDD (262 [60%] male; mean [SD] age, 25.75 [13.24] months) with diverse degrees of cognitive impairment: mild (98 [23%]), moderate (141 [32%]), severe (122 [28%]), and profound (73 [17%]). The combined use of trio-WES and CNV-seq resulted in a 61% positive detection rate. Craniofacial abnormalities (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; 95% CI, 1.45-3.56), moderate or severe cognitive impairment (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.70), and age between 12 and 24 months (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.05-2.35) were associated with a higher risk of carrying genetic variants. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis suggested that genetic variants may induce alterations in brain development and function, which may give rise to cognitive impairment. Moreover, an association was found between the dopaminergic pathway and cognitive impairment. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of patients with GDD, combining trio-WES with CNV-seq was a demonstrable, instrumental strategy for advancing the diagnosis of GDD. The close association among genetic variations, brain development, and clinical phenotypes contributed valuable insights into the pathogenesis of GDD. Notably, the dopaminergic pathway emerged as a promising focal point for potential targets in future precision medical interventions for GDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiran Xu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Kunming Children’s Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Ling Yue
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Children’s Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongfang Jin
- Qinghai Provincial Women and Children’s Hospital, Xining, China
| | | | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Mingmei Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gongxun Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangyu Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sansong Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huiling Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yunxia Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guohui Niu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongqiang Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhijun Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dengna Zhu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Sha Z, Sun KY, Jung B, Barzilay R, Moore TM, Almasy L, Forsyth JK, Prem S, Gandal MJ, Seidlitz J, Glessner JT, Alexander-Bloch AF. The copy number variant architecture of psychopathology and cognitive development in the ABCD ® study. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.14.24307376. [PMID: 38798629 PMCID: PMC11118651 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.24307376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Importance Childhood is a crucial developmental phase for mental health and cognitive function, both of which are commonly affected in patients with psychiatric disorders. This neurodevelopmental trajectory is shaped by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. While common genetic variants account for a large proportion of inherited genetic risk, rare genetic variations, particularly copy number variants (CNVs), play a significant role in the genetic architecture of neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite their importance, the relevance of CNVs to child psychopathology and cognitive function in the general population remains underexplored. Objective Investigating CNV associations with dimensions of child psychopathology and cognitive functions. Design Setting and Participants ABCD® study focuses on a cohort of over 11,875 youth aged 9 to 10, recruited from 21 sites in the US, aiming to investigate the role of various factors, including brain, environment, and genetic factors, in the etiology of mental and physical health from middle childhood through early adulthood. Data analysis occurred from April 2023 to April 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures In this study, we utilized PennCNV and QuantiSNP algorithms to identify duplications and deletions larger than 50Kb across a cohort of 11,088 individuals from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development® study. CNVs meeting quality control standards were subjected to a genome-wide association scan to identify regions associated with quantitative measures of broad psychiatric symptom domains and cognitive outcomes. Additionally, a CNV risk score, reflecting the aggregated burden of genetic intolerance to inactivation and dosage sensitivity, was calculated to assess its impact on variability in overall and dimensional child psychiatric and cognitive phenotypes. Results In a final sample of 8,564 individuals (mean age=9.9 years, 4,532 males) passing quality control, we identified 4,111 individuals carrying 5,760 autosomal CNVs. Our results revealed significant associations between specific CNVs and our phenotypes of interest, psychopathology and cognitive function. For instance, a duplication at 10q26.3 was associated with overall psychopathology, and somatic complaints in particular. Additionally, deletions at 1q12.1, along with duplications at 14q11.2 and 10q26.3, were linked to overall cognitive function, with particular contributions from fluid intelligence (14q11.2), working memory (10q26.3), and reading ability (14q11.2). Moreover, individuals carrying CNVs previously associated with neurodevelopmental disorders exhibited greater impairment in social functioning and cognitive performance across multiple domains, in particular working memory. Notably, a higher deletion CNV risk score was significantly correlated with increased overall psychopathology (especially in dimensions of social functioning, thought disorder, and attention) as well as cognitive impairment across various domains. Conclusions and Relevance In summary, our findings shed light on the contributions of CNVs to interindividual variability in complex traits related to neurocognitive development and child psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Sha
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kevin Y. Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Jung
- Section on Neurobehavioral and Clinical Research, Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ran Barzilay
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tyler M. Moore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura Almasy
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Smrithi Prem
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Michael J. Gandal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jakob Seidlitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph T. Glessner
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aaron F. Alexander-Bloch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Miano-Burkhardt A, Alvarez Jerez P, Daida K, Bandres Ciga S, Billingsley KJ. The Role of Structural Variants in the Genetic Architecture of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4801. [PMID: 38732020 PMCID: PMC11084710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts millions of individuals worldwide. Although our understanding of the genetic foundations of PD has advanced, a substantial portion of the genetic variation contributing to disease risk remains unknown. Current PD genetic studies have primarily focused on one form of genetic variation, single nucleotide variants (SNVs), while other important forms of genetic variation, such as structural variants (SVs), are mostly ignored due to the complexity of detecting these variants with traditional sequencing methods. Yet, these forms of genetic variation play crucial roles in gene expression and regulation in the human brain and are causative of numerous neurological disorders, including forms of PD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of our current understanding of the involvement of coding and noncoding SVs in the genetic architecture of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Miano-Burkhardt
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.M.-B.); (K.D.)
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (P.A.J.); (S.B.C.)
| | - Pilar Alvarez Jerez
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (P.A.J.); (S.B.C.)
| | - Kensuke Daida
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.M.-B.); (K.D.)
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (P.A.J.); (S.B.C.)
| | - Sara Bandres Ciga
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (P.A.J.); (S.B.C.)
| | - Kimberley J. Billingsley
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.M.-B.); (K.D.)
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (P.A.J.); (S.B.C.)
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7
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Mitchell KJ. Variability in Neural Circuit Formation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2024; 16:a041504. [PMID: 38253418 PMCID: PMC10910361 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The study of neural development is usually concerned with the question of how nervous systems get put together. Variation in these processes is usually of interest as a means of revealing these normative mechanisms. However, variation itself can be an object of study and is of interest from multiple angles. First, the nature of variation in both the processes and the outcomes of neural development is relevant to our understanding of how these processes and outcomes are encoded in the genome. Second, variation in the wiring of the brain in humans may underlie variation in all kinds of psychological and behavioral traits, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders. And third, genetic variation that affects circuit development provides the raw material for evolutionary change. Here, I examine these different aspects of variation in circuit development and consider what they may tell us about these larger questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Mitchell
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin D02 PN40, Ireland
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8
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He J, Li Q, Zhang Q. rvTWAS: identifying gene-trait association using sequences by utilizing transcriptome-directed feature selection. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad204. [PMID: 38001381 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Toward the identification of genetic basis of complex traits, transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) is successful in integrating transcriptome data. However, TWAS is only applicable for common variants, excluding rare variants in exome or whole-genome sequences. This is partly because of the inherent limitation of TWAS protocols that rely on predicting gene expressions. Our previous research has revealed the insight into TWAS: the 2 steps in TWAS, building and applying the expression prediction models, are essentially genetic feature selection and aggregations that do not have to involve predictions. Based on this insight disentangling TWAS, rare variants' inability of predicting expression traits is no longer an obstacle. Herein, we developed "rare variant TWAS," or rvTWAS, that first uses a Bayesian model to conduct expression-directed feature selection and then uses a kernel machine to carry out feature aggregation, forming a model leveraging expressions for association mapping including rare variants. We demonstrated the performance of rvTWAS by thorough simulations and real data analysis in 3 psychiatric disorders, namely schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. We confirmed that rvTWAS outperforms existing TWAS protocols and revealed additional genes underlying psychiatric disorders. Particularly, we formed a hypothetical mechanism in which zinc finger genes impact all 3 disorders through transcriptional regulations. rvTWAS will open a door for sequence-based association mappings integrating gene expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingni He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Qingrun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada
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Peall KJ, Owen MJ, Hall J. Rare genetic brain disorders with overlapping neurological and psychiatric phenotypes. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:7-21. [PMID: 38001363 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00896-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding rare genetic brain disorders with overlapping neurological and psychiatric phenotypes is of increasing importance given the potential for developing disease models that could help to understand more common, polygenic disorders. However, the traditional clinical boundaries between neurology and psychiatry result in frequent segregation of these disorders into distinct silos, limiting cross-specialty understanding that could facilitate clinical and biological advances. In this Review, we highlight multiple genetic brain disorders in which neurological and psychiatric phenotypes are observed, but for which in-depth, cross-spectrum clinical phenotyping is rarely undertaken. We describe the combined phenotypes observed in association with genetic variants linked to epilepsy, dystonia, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. We also consider common underlying mechanisms that centre on synaptic plasticity, including changes to synaptic and neuronal structure, calcium handling and the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity. Further investigation is needed to better define and replicate these phenotypes in larger cohorts, which would help to gain greater understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and identify common therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Peall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Michael J Owen
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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10
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Konopka G, Bhaduri A. Functional genomics and systems biology in human neuroscience. Nature 2023; 623:274-282. [PMID: 37938705 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06686-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuroscience research has entered a phase of key discoveries in the realm of neurogenomics owing to strong financial and intellectual support for resource building and tool development. The previous challenge of tissue heterogeneity has been met with the application of techniques that can profile individual cells at scale. Moreover, the ability to perturb genes, gene regulatory elements and neuronal activity in a cell-type-specific manner has been integrated with gene expression studies to uncover the functional underpinnings of the genome at a systems level. Although these insights have necessarily been grounded in model systems, we now have the opportunity to apply these approaches in humans and in human tissue, thanks to advances in human genetics, brain imaging and tissue collection. We acknowledge that there will probably always be limits to the extent to which we can apply the genomic tools developed in model systems to human neuroscience; however, as we describe in this Perspective, the neuroscience field is now primed with an optimal foundation for tackling this ambitious challenge. The application of systems-level network analyses to these datasets will facilitate a deeper appreciation of human neurogenomics that cannot otherwise be achieved from directly observable phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Peter O'Donnell Jr Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Aparna Bhaduri
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Forrest MP, Penzes P. Mechanisms of copy number variants in neuropsychiatric disorders: From genes to therapeutics. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 82:102750. [PMID: 37515924 PMCID: PMC10529795 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs) are genomic imbalances strongly linked to the aetiology of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. By virtue of their large size, CNVs often contain many genes, providing a multi-genic view of disease processes that can be dissected in model systems. Thus, CNV research provides an important stepping stone towards understanding polygenic disease mechanisms, positioned between monogenic and polygenic risk models. In this review, we will outline hypothetical models for gene interactions occurring within CNVs and discuss different approaches used to study rodent and stem cell disease models. We highlight recent work showing that genetic and pharmacological strategies can be used to rescue important aspects of CNV-mediated pathophysiology, which often converges onto synaptic pathways. We propose that using a rescue approach in complete CNV models provides a new path forward for precise mechanistic understanding of complex disorders and a tangible route towards therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc P Forrest
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Mudassir BU, Alotaibi MA, Kizilbash N, Alruwaili D, Alruwaili A, Alenezi M, Agha Z. Genome-wide CNV analysis uncovers novel pathogenic regions in cohort of five multiplex families with neurodevelopmental disorders. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19718. [PMID: 37810058 PMCID: PMC10558996 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural reorganization of chromosomes by genomic duplications and/or deletions are known as copy number variations (CNVs). Pathogenic and disease susceptible CNVs alter gene dosage and its phenotypic expression that often leads to human genetic diseases including Neurological disorders. CNVs affecting same common genes in multiple neurodevelopmental disorders can better explain the shared clinical and genetic aetiology across brain diseases. Our study presents the novel copy number variations in a cohort of five multiplex consanguineous families with intellectual disability, microcephaly, ASD, epilepsy, and neurological syndromic features. Cytoscan HD microarray suite has revealed genome wide deletions, duplications and LOH regions which are co-segregating in the family members for the rare neurodevelopmental syndromic phenotypes. This study identifies 1q21.1 microduplication, 16p11.2 microduplication, Xp11.22 microduplication, 4p12 microdeletion and Xq21.1 microdeletion that significantly contribute to primary disease onset and its progression for the first time in Pakistani families. Our study has potential impact on the understanding of pathogenic genetic predisposition for appearance of complex and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with otherwise unexplained syndromic features. Identification of altered gene dosage across the genome is helpful in improved diagnosis, better disease management in day-to-day life activities of patients with cognitive impairment and genetic counselling of families where consanguinity is a tradition. Our study will contribute to expand the knowledge of genotype-phenotype expression and future gateways in therapeutics and precision medicine research will be open in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behjat Ul Mudassir
- Translational Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Nadeem Kizilbash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daliyah Alruwaili
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar Alruwaili
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Modhi Alenezi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zehra Agha
- Translational Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Cuppens T, Shatto J, Mangnier L, Kumar AA, Ng ACH, Kaur M, Bui TA, Leclercq M, Droit A, Dunham I, Bolduc FV. Sex difference contributes to phenotypic diversity in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1172154. [PMID: 37609366 PMCID: PMC10441218 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1172154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Gain a better understanding of sex-specific differences in individuals with global developmental delay (GDD), with a focus on phenotypes and genotypes. Methods Using the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) dataset, we extracted phenotypic information from 6,588 individuals with GDD and then identified statistically significant variations in phenotypes and genotypes based on sex. We compared genes with pathogenic variants between sex and then performed gene network and molecular function enrichment analysis and gene expression profiling between sex. Finally, we contrasted individuals with autism as an associated condition. Results We identified significantly differentially expressed phenotypes in males vs. females individuals with GDD. Autism and macrocephaly were significantly more common in males whereas microcephaly and stereotypies were more common in females. Importantly, 66% of GDD genes with pathogenic variants overlapped between both sexes. In the cohort, males presented with only slightly increased X-linked genes (9% vs. 8%, respectively). Individuals from both sexes harbored a similar number of pathogenic variants overall (3) but females presented with a significantly higher load for GDD genes with high intolerance to loss of function. Sex difference in gene expression correlated with genes identified in a sex specific manner. While we identified sex-specific GDD gene mutations, their pathways overlapped. Interestingly, individuals with GDD but also co-morbid autism phenotypes, we observed distinct mutation load, pathways and phenotypic presentation. Conclusion Our study shows for the first time that males and females with GDD present with significantly different phenotypes. Moreover, while most GDD genes overlapped, some genes were found uniquely in each sex. Surprisingly they shared similar molecular functions. Sorting genes by predicted tolerance to loss of function (pLI) led to identifying an increased mutation load in females with GDD, suggesting potentially a tolerance to GDD genes of higher pLI compared to overall GDD genes. Finally, we show that considering associated conditions (for instance autism) may influence the genomic underpinning found in individuals with GDD and highlight the importance of comprehensive phenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Cuppens
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Département de Médecine Moléculaire de L'Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Shatto
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Loïc Mangnier
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Département de Médecine Moléculaire de L'Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ajay A. Kumar
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI); Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Andy Cheuk-Him Ng
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Manpreet Kaur
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Truong An Bui
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mickael Leclercq
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Département de Médecine Moléculaire de L'Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Département de Médecine Moléculaire de L'Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ian Dunham
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI); Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Francois V. Bolduc
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Farsi Z, Sheng M. Molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia: Insights from human genetics. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 81:102731. [PMID: 37245257 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects millions of people worldwide; however, its etiology is poorly understood at the molecular and neurobiological levels. A particularly important advance in recent years is the discovery of rare genetic variants associated with a greatly increased risk of developing schizophrenia. These primarily loss-of-function variants are found in genes that overlap with those implicated by common variants and are involved in the regulation of glutamate signaling, synaptic function, DNA transcription, and chromatin remodeling. Animal models harboring mutations in these large-effect schizophrenia risk genes show promise in providing additional insights into the molecular mechanisms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Farsi
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Morgan Sheng
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Schaffer L, Rau S, Clasen L, Warling A, Whitman ET, Nadig A, McDermott C, Xenophontos A, Wilson K, Blumenthal J, Torres E, Raznahan A. X- vs. Y-Chromosome Influences on Human Behavior: A Deep Phenotypic Comparison of Psychopathology in XXY and XYY Syndromes. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.06.19.23291614. [PMID: 37502878 PMCID: PMC10371113 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.19.23291614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Do different genetic disorders impart different psychiatric risk profiles? This question has major implications for biological and translational aspects of psychiatry, but has been difficult to tackle given limited access to shared batteries of fine-grained clinical data across genetic disorders. Using a new suite of generalizable analytic approaches, we examine gold-standard diagnostic ratings, scores on 66 dimensional measures of psychopathology, and measures of cognition and functioning in two different sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) - Klinefelter (XXY/KS) and XYY syndrome (n=102 and 64 vs. n=74 and 60 matched XY controls, total n=300). We focus on SCAs for their high collective prevalence, informativeness regarding differential X- vs. Y-chromosome effects, and potential relevance for normative sex differences. We show that XXY/KS elevates rates for most psychiatric diagnoses as previously reported for XYY, but disproportionately so for anxiety disorders. Fine-mapping across all 66 traits provides a detailed profile of psychopathology in XXY/KS which is strongly correlated with that of XYY (r=.75 across traits) and robust to ascertainment biases, but reveals: (i) a greater penetrance of XYY than KS/XXY for most traits except mood/anxiety problems, and (ii) a disproportionate impact of XYY vs. XXY/KS on social problems. XXY/KS and XXY showed a similar coupling of psychopathology with adaptive function and caregiver strain, but not IQ. This work provides new tools for deep-phenotypic comparisons of genetic disorders in psychiatry and uses these to detail unique and shared effects of the X- and Y-chromosome on human behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Schaffer
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Srishti Rau
- Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Division of Neuropsychology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington DC, USA
| | - Liv Clasen
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Allysa Warling
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ethan T. Whitman
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ajay Nadig
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cassidy McDermott
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anastasia Xenophontos
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kathleen Wilson
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan Blumenthal
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Erin Torres
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Armin Raznahan
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
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