All articles tagged with #polygenic scores
A large-scale genetic study identified 220 loci linked to substance use disorders across European, African, and American populations, revealing shared genes active in brain regions involved in emotion, memory, and reward, and suggesting potential for personalized risk assessment and drug repurposing for treatment.
A new analysis of Ludwig van Beethoven's DNA suggests that musical talents can reach beyond genetic predispositions, challenging the idea that our genetics define us. The study, which used Beethoven's DNA to assess beat synchronization ability, highlights the limitations of genetic predictions for individual traits and behaviors. While genetic analyses can reveal population-wide trends, they may not reliably determine an individual's abilities due to the influence of environmental factors. The research emphasizes the complex interplay of genetics, environment, and creativity in shaping musical genius.
An international team of researchers analyzed Ludwig van Beethoven's DNA to investigate his genetic predisposition for musical ability, using a polygenic score for beat synchronization. The study, published in Current Biology, revealed that Beethoven had an unremarkable polygenic score for general musicality compared to population samples, highlighting the limitations of polygenic score predictions at the individual level. The researchers emphasize that while DNA contributes to musical skills, complex human traits, including musical abilities, are not solely determined by genes or the environment but rather shaped by their complex interplay.
A study on type 2 diabetes (T2D) pathophysiology reveals genetic heterogeneity in T2D development and complications. The research, involving over 2.5 million individuals of diverse ancestry, identified 1,289 T2D association signals and classified them into eight mechanistic clusters based on their cardiometabolic profiles. The study also uncovered ancestry-correlated heterogeneity in allelic effects at T2D association signals, with differences in mean BMI in T2D cases and controls across ancestry groups playing a role. Additionally, the study tested the association of cluster-specific polygenic scores with T2D-related vascular outcomes, providing insights into the genetic drivers of T2D heterogeneity.
Researchers have developed polygenic scores that can predict a woman's risk of developing preeclampsia and gestational hypertension during pregnancy. The scores were based on genetic data from over 750,000 individuals and were found to be more accurate than traditional risk factors such as age, BMI, and blood pressure. The scores could help identify women at high risk of these conditions and enable earlier interventions to prevent complications. The data is publicly available for download.
Adjusting for common variant polygenic scores can improve the yield in rare variant association analyses, according to a study using data from the UK Biobank. The researchers found that incorporating polygenic scores into the analysis increased the power to detect rare variant associations, particularly for traits with a strong polygenic component. The study highlights the importance of considering both common and rare genetic variation in association analyses and provides a resource for researchers to access the data and code used in the study.
A study has found that the causal effects on complex traits are similar for common variants across segments of different continental ancestries within admixed individuals. The research used data from three large biobanks and found that the genetic architecture of complex traits is largely shared across populations, which has implications for the use of polygenic scores in diverse populations.