Genetics of early-life head circumference and genetic correlations with neurological

Identifier:  imarina:9294516

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9294516

Authors:  Vogelezang, Suzanne; Bradfield, Jonathan P.; Grant, Struan F. A.; Felix, Janine F.; Jaddoe, Vincent W. V.; Early Growth Genetics Consortium

Abstract:
Background Head circumference is associated with intelligence and tracks from childhood into adulthood. Methods We performed a genome-wide association study meta-analysis and follow-up of head circumference in a total of 29,192 participants between 6 and 30 months of age. Results Seven loci reached genome-wide significance in the combined discovery and replication analysis of which three loci near ARFGEF2, MYCL1, and TOP1, were novel. We observed positive genetic correlations for early-life head circumference with adult intracranial volume, years of schooling, childhood and adult intelligence, but not with adult psychiatric, neurological, or personality-related phenotypes. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that the biological processes underlying early-life head circumference overlap largely with those of adult head circumference. The associations of early-life head circumference with cognitive outcomes across the life course are partly explained by genetics.