1
|
Wang LH, Shih MY, Lin YF, Kuo PH, Feng YCA. Polygenic dissection of treatment-resistant depression with proxy phenotypes in the UK Biobank. J Affect Disord 2025; 381:350-359. [PMID: 40187433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2025] [Revised: 03/31/2025] [Accepted: 04/01/2025] [Indexed: 04/07/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) affects one-third of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. Previous pharmacogenetic studies suggest genetic variation may influence medication response but findings are heterogeneous. We conducted a comprehensive genetic investigation using proxy TRD phenotypes (TRDp) that mirror the treatment options of MDD from UK Biobank primary care records. METHODS Among 15,125 White British MDD patients, we identified TRDp with medication changes (switching or receiving multiple antidepressants [AD]); augmentation therapy (antipsychotics; mood stabilizers; valproate; lithium); or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Hospitalized TRDp patients (HOSP-TRDp) were also identified. We conducted genome-wide association analysis, estimated SNP-heritability (hg2), and assessed the genetic burden for nine psychiatric diseases using polygenic risk scores (PRS). RESULTS TRDp patients were more often female, unemployed, less educated, and had higher BMI, with hospitalization rates twice as high as non-TRDp. While no credible risk variants emerged, heritability analysis showed significant genetic influence on TRDp (liability hg2 21-24 %), particularly for HOSP-TRDp (28-31 %). TRDp classified by AD changes and augmentation carried an elevated yet varied polygenic burden for MDD, ADHD, BD, and SCZ. Higher BD PRS increased the likelihood of receiving ECT, lithium, and valproate by 1.27-1.80 fold. Patients in the top 10 % PRS relative to the average had a 12-36 % and 24-51 % higher risk of TRDp and HOSP-TRDp, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a significant polygenic basis for TRD, highlighting genetic and phenotypic distinctions from non-TRD. We demonstrate that different TRDp endpoints are enriched with various spectra of psychiatric genetic liability, offering insights into pharmacogenomics and TRD's complex genetic architecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Hua Wang
- Institute of Health Data Analytics and Statistics, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Yi Shih
- Institute of Health Data Analytics and Statistics, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Feng Lin
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Public Health & Medical Humanities, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiu Kuo
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chen A Feng
- Institute of Health Data Analytics and Statistics, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu Y, Sun Y, Feng Z, Jia X, Que J, Cui N, Yu L, Zheng YR, Wei YB, Liu JJ. Genetic insights into the role of mitochondria-related genes in mental disorders: An integrative multi-omics analysis. J Affect Disord 2025; 380:685-695. [PMID: 40180044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2025] [Accepted: 03/19/2025] [Indexed: 04/05/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the development of mental disorders, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we employed summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis to explore the associations between mitochondrial-related genes and seven common mental disorders across gene expression, DNA methylation, and protein levels. METHOD Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies were used for seven mental disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia (SCZ). Instrumental variables associated with 1136 mitochondria-related genes were derived from summary statistics for DNA methylation, gene expression, and protein quantitative trait loci. SMR analyses and colocalization analyses were then conducted across these three biological levels to explore the associations with each of the seven mental disorders. RESULTS We identified mitochondria-related genes associated with mental disorders with multi-omics evidence: RMDN1 for ADHD, and ACADVL, ETFA, MMAB, and PPA2 for SCZ. Specifically, an increase of one standard deviation in the level of RMDN1 was linked to a 12 % decrease in the risk of developing ADHD (OR = 0.88, 95 % CI: 0.83-0.94). Increased levels of ETFA (OR = 1.79, 95 % CI: 1.24-2.60) and MMAB (OR = 1.10, 95 % CI: 1.05-1.16) were significantly associated with increased risk of SCZ. Conversely, high levels of ACADVL (OR = 0.50, 95 % CI: 0.33-0.77) and PPA2 (OR = 0.68, 95 % CI: 0.55-0.85) were associated with a reduced risk of SCZ. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggested that dysfunction in mitochondria-related genes may underlie the molecular mechanisms of ADHD and SCZ, providing novel biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan'e Lu
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yaoyao Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhendong Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinlei Jia
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jianyu Que
- Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen 361012, Fujian, China
| | - Naixue Cui
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Shandong Province 250012, China
| | - Lulu Yu
- Mental Health Center, the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Technical Innovation Center for Mental Health Assessment and Intervention, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050031, China
| | - Yi-Ran Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Bin Wei
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Jia Jia Liu
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li X, Wang X, Zhu L, Liu J, Wang J, Chen X. Exploring the association between urticaria subtypes, anxiety, and depression and potential role of gut microbiota. J Affect Disord 2025; 380:181-190. [PMID: 40120951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2025] [Revised: 03/15/2025] [Accepted: 03/19/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
AIMS In observational studies, the causal relationship between urticaria and the risk of psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) remains inconclusive. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that gut microbiota (GM) contributes to the pathogenesis of urticaria. This study aimed to assess the causal relationships between the genetically predicted urticaria subtypes and psychiatric disorders and further examined the role of GM in influencing the risk of these urticaria subtypes. METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies identified from four databases to evaluate the associations between urticaria, anxiety, and depression over the past decade. In addition, we estimated the genetic correlation and causality between genetically predicted urticaria subtypes and psychiatric disorders using linkage disequilibrium score regression and Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses. Finally, univariable two-sample MR and multivariable MR analyses were employed to evaluate the combined and independent effects of GM from two datasets on urticaria subtypes associated with psychiatric disorders. RESULTS Thirteen observational studies comprising 7321 participants were included in the meta-analysis. There was a positive association between urticaria and anxiety risk (n = 13, OR: 3.96; 95%CI: 2.90-5.41) as well as depression risk (n = 12, OR: 3.03; 95%CI: 2.30-4.01). The MR results indicated that idiopathic urticaria increased the risk of anxiety (OR = 1.14; 95%CI = 1.01-1.28; P = 3.31 × 10-2), while allergic urticaria increased the risk of major depressive disorder (OR = 1.07; 95%CI = 1.02-1.13; P = 6.65 × 10-3). Our analysis identified nineteen gut bacterial taxa that were causally associated with idiopathic and allergic urticaria. Notably, Intestinibacter and Victivallales were strongly associated with an increased risk of allergic urticaria, even after accounting for the effect of smoking or alcohol consumption in the multivariable MR analysis. FamilyXIIIAD3011group and Bacteroides vulgatus were found to exert protective roles in idiopathic urticaria. CONCLUSIONS The study provides evidence for the association between urticaria subtypes and psychiatric disorders, complementing existing observational studies. In addition, our study implies the involvement of gut microbiota in idiopathic and allergic urticaria. However, the specific mechanisms of bacterial action remain to be clarified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning, China; AIage Life Science Corporation Ltd., Guangxi Free Trade Zone Aisheng Biotechnology Corporation Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- AIage Life Science Corporation Ltd., Guangxi Free Trade Zone Aisheng Biotechnology Corporation Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Longevity Science and Technology, AIage Life Science Corporation Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Linping Zhu
- Guangxi Health Promotion Technology Co., Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jianqun Liu
- AIage Life Science Corporation Ltd., Guangxi Free Trade Zone Aisheng Biotechnology Corporation Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jianyi Wang
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.
| | - Xiaochun Chen
- AIage Life Science Corporation Ltd., Guangxi Free Trade Zone Aisheng Biotechnology Corporation Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Longevity Science and Technology, AIage Life Science Corporation Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hong MG, Khemiri L, Guterstam J, Franck J, Jayaram-Lindström N, Melas PA. Genetic liability for anxiety and treatment response to the monoamine stabilizer OSU6162 in alcohol dependence: a retrospective secondary analysis. Pharmacol Rep 2025; 77:840-849. [PMID: 40069537 PMCID: PMC12066376 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00707-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2025] [Revised: 02/18/2025] [Accepted: 02/19/2025] [Indexed: 05/13/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND OSU6162, a monoamine stabilizer, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing alcohol and anxiety-related behaviors in preclinical settings. In a previous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with alcohol dependence (AD), OSU6162 significantly reduced craving for alcohol but did not alter drinking behaviors. This retrospective secondary analysis explores whether genetic predispositions related to AD and associated traits might influence the response to OSU6162 treatment in original trial participants. METHODS Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated for 48 AD patients using PRSice-2 and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for (i) alcohol use disorder and alcohol consumption, (ii) problematic alcohol use, (iii) drinks per week, (iv) major depression, and (v) anxiety (case-control comparisons and quantitative anxiety factor scores). Linear regression analyses, adjusted for population stratification, assessed interaction effects between PRSs and treatment type (OSU6162 or placebo) on various clinical outcomes. RESULTS Significant interactions were found between treatment type and anxiety factor score PRS at the genome-wide significance threshold. In the OSU6162-treated group, a higher anxiety PRS was associated with reductions in the number of drinks consumed (FDR = 0.0017), percentage of heavy drinking days (FDR = 0.0060), and percentage of drinking days (FDR = 0.0017), with a trend toward reduced blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth) levels (FDR = 0.068). These associations were absent in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings suggest that anxiety PRS may help predict response to OSU6162 treatment in AD. Further research with larger cohorts and more comprehensive genetic data is needed to confirm these results and advance personalized medicine approaches for alcohol use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mun-Gwan Hong
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 17121, Sweden
| | - Lotfi Khemiri
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, 11364, Sweden
| | - Joar Guterstam
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, 11364, Sweden
| | - Johan Franck
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, 11364, Sweden
| | - Nitya Jayaram-Lindström
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, 11364, Sweden
| | - Philippe A Melas
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, 11364, Sweden.
- L8:01, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, 17176, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Weber H, Hettema JM, Deckert J, Erhardt-Lehmann A. Genomics of Anxiety Disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2025; 48:377-401. [PMID: 40348424 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2025.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2025]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the general population. Despite the early observation of family aggregation of anxiety disorders with a heritability of 30% to 50%, their exact genetic structure is not yet determined. Evidence suggests a composition of common and rare genetic factors contributing to the etiology of anxiety disorders. Recent hypothesis-free genome-wide association studies in mega cohorts mostly with a broad anxiety phenotype rendered an increasing number of novel genetic loci. Epigenetic research is still in its infancy with first evidence showing dynamic changes in response to environmental influences and during the therapy course.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heike Weber
- Functional Genomics, Department of Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Margerete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - John M Hettema
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, 2900 East 29th Street, Suite 300, Bryan, TX 77802, USA
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Center of Mental Health, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Margerete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Erhardt-Lehmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Margerete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Margerete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu S, Wang X, Xu J, Tang X, Hao W, Xiang C, Lei X, Wang M, Yang X. Causal relationships between depression, anxiety, and myopia: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Eye (Lond) 2025:10.1038/s41433-025-03841-y. [PMID: 40360801 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-025-03841-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2025] [Accepted: 05/02/2025] [Indexed: 05/15/2025] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the causal relationship between depression, anxiety, and myopia. METHODS The multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) design using summary statistics from independent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) was employed. The anxiety and depression, were used as exposures, and myopia was used as the outcome. Genetic variants associated with depression were derived using GWAS summary statistics from the FinnGen consortium database. Genetic variants associated with anxiety were derived from the Psychiatric Genomics consortium. The inverse-variance-weighted method was the main applied analytic tool and was complemented with comprehensive sensitivity analyses. RESULTS A total of 21, 10 SNPs were selected as instrumental variables for depression and anxiety, respectively. Based on the IVW analysis, both depression (OR = 1.010, 95% CI = 1.002-1.018, P = 0.016) and anxiety (OR = 1.083, 95%CI = 1.022-1.149, P = 0.008) increased the risk of myopia. After adjusting in the multivariable MR, the IVW and Egger methods indicated that depression (OR = 1.004, 95%CI = 1.000-1.008, P = 0.030) or anxiety (OR = 1.004, 95%CI = 1.001-1.008, P = 0.026) was still associated with elevated risks of myopia. CONCLUSIONS The current study identified a causal relationship between anxiety, depression, and an increased risk of myopia. These observations suggest that when developing strategies to control myopia, it is also important to focus on the mental health of children. Further detailed research is needed to fully understand this issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengsong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen Eye Medical Center, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianghua Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenlong Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuqi Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingyu Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Katzourou IK, LINC Consortium, Barroso I, Benger L, Ingason A, Stow D, Tsang R, Wood M, Kirov G, Walters J, Owen MJ, Holmans P, van den Bree MBM. Contributions of common and rare genetic variation to different measures of mood and anxiety disorder in the UK Biobank. BJPsych Open 2025; 11:e97. [PMID: 40341140 PMCID: PMC12089803 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2025.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 01/08/2025] [Accepted: 02/21/2025] [Indexed: 05/10/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mood and anxiety disorders co-occur and share symptoms, treatments and genetic risk, but it is unclear whether combining them into a single phenotype would better capture genetic variation. The contribution of common genetic variation to these disorders has been investigated using a range of measures; however, the differences in their ability to capture variation remain unclear, while the impact of rare variation is mostly unexplored. AIMS We aimed to explore the contributions of common genetic variation and copy number variations associated with risk of psychiatric morbidity (P-CNVs) to different measures of internalising disorders. METHOD We investigated eight definitions of mood and anxiety disorder, and a combined internalising disorder, derived from self-report questionnaires, diagnostic assessments and electronic healthcare records (EHRs). Association of these definitions with polygenic risk scores (PRSs) of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as presence of a P-CNV, was assessed. RESULTS The effect sizes of both PRSs and P-CNVs were similar for mood and anxiety disorder. Compared to mood and anxiety disorder, internalising disorder resulted in higher prediction accuracy for PRSs, and increased significance of associations with P-CNVs for most definitions. Comparison across the eight definitions showed that PRSs had higher prediction accuracy and effect sizes for stricter definitions, whereas P-CNVs were more strongly associated with EHR- and self-report-based definitions. CONCLUSIONS Future studies may benefit from using a combined internalising disorder phenotype, and may need to consider that different phenotype definitions may be more informative depending on whether common or rare variation is studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna K. Katzourou
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Inês Barroso
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Lauren Benger
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Daniel Stow
- Wolfson Institute for Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ruby Tsang
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Megan Wood
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - George Kirov
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - James Walters
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael J. Owen
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter Holmans
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Marianne B. M. van den Bree
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Davis CN, Khan Y, Toikumo S, Jinwala Z, Boomsma DI, Levey DF, Gelernter J, Kember RL, Kranzler HR. Integrating HiTOP and RDoC frameworks Part I: Genetic architecture of externalizing and internalizing psychopathology. Psychol Med 2025; 55:e138. [PMID: 40336358 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291725000856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is considerable comorbidity between externalizing (EXT) and internalizing (INT) psychopathology. Understanding the shared genetic underpinnings of these spectra is crucial for advancing knowledge of their biological bases and informing empirical models like the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) and Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP). METHODS We applied genomic structural equation modeling to summary statistics from 16 EXT and INT traits in individuals genetically similar to European reference panels (EUR-like; n = 16,400 to 1,074,629). Traits included clinical (e.g. major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder) and subclinical measures (e.g. risk tolerance, irritability). We tested five confirmatory factor models to identify the best fitting and most parsimonious genetic architecture and then conducted multivariate genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the resulting latent factors. RESULTS A two-factor correlated model, representing EXT and INT spectra, provided the best fit to the data. There was a moderate genetic correlation between EXT and INT (r = 0.37, SE = 0.02), with bivariate causal mixture models showing extensive overlap in causal variants across the two spectra (94.64%, SE = 3.27). Multivariate GWAS identified 409 lead genetic variants for EXT, 85 for INT, and 256 for the shared traits. CONCLUSIONS The shared genetic liabilities for EXT and INT identified here help to characterize the genetic architecture underlying these frequently comorbid forms of psychopathology. The findings provide a framework for future research aimed at understanding the shared and distinct biological mechanisms underlying psychopathology, which will help to refine psychiatric classification systems and potentially inform treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christal N Davis
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yousef Khan
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sylvanus Toikumo
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zeal Jinwala
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel F Levey
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry, Genetics, and Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rachel L Kember
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Khan Y, Davis CN, Jinwala Z, Feuer KL, Toikumo S, Hartwell EE, Sanchez-Roige S, Peterson RE, Hatoum AS, Kranzler HR, Kember RL. Transdiagnostic and Disorder-Level GWAS Enhance Precision of Substance Use and Psychiatric Genetic Risk Profiles in African and European Ancestries. Biol Psychiatry 2025:S0006-3223(25)01180-1. [PMID: 40345609 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2025] [Accepted: 04/21/2025] [Indexed: 05/11/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric disorders frequently co-occur, and their etiology likely reflects both transdiagnostic (i.e., common/shared) and disorder-level (i.e., independent/nonshared) genetic influences. Understanding the genetic influences that are shared and those that operate independently of the shared risk could enhance precision in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, but this remains underexplored, particularly in non-European ancestry groups. METHODS We applied genomic structural equation modeling to examine the common and independent genetic architecture among SUDs and psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in European- (EUR) and African-ancestry (AFR) individuals. To characterize the biological and phenotypic associations, we used FUMA, conducted genetic correlations, and performed phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS). RESULTS In EUR individuals, transdiagnostic genetic factors represented SUDs, psychotic, and mood/anxiety disorders, with GWAS identifying two novel lead single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the mood factor. In AFR individuals, genetic factors represented SUDs and psychiatric disorders, and GWAS identified one novel lead SNP for the SUD factor. In EUR individuals, second-order factor models showed phenotypic and genotypic associations with a broad range of physical and mental health traits. Finally, genetic correlations and PheWAS highlighted how common and independent genetic factors for SUD and psychotic disorders were differentially associated with psychiatric, sociodemographic, and medical phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS Combining transdiagnostic and disorder-level genetic approaches can improve our understanding of co-occurring conditions and increase the specificity of genetic discovery, which is critical for identifying more effective prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the burden of these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Khan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Christal N Davis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Zeal Jinwala
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Kyra L Feuer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Sylvanus Toikumo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Emily E Hartwell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Sandra Sanchez-Roige
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Division of Genetic Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37235, United States; Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roseann E Peterson
- Institute for Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Institute for Genomics in Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, United States
| | - Alexander S Hatoum
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Rachel L Kember
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lai Y, Xiong P. Analysis of gut microbiota and depression and anxiety: Mendelian randomization from three datasets. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2025; 94:206-218. [PMID: 40154232 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2025.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2025] [Accepted: 03/14/2025] [Indexed: 04/01/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence supports gut microbiota's association with mental distress, particularly depression and anxiety, the microbiota-gut-brain axis was the believed to be the underlying mechanism. This study investigated the causal relationships between specific gut microbiota and depression and anxiety disorders using large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. METHODS A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to explore the causal effects of 211 microbial taxa on depression and anxiety across three large GWAS databases: FinnGen, Pan-UKBB, and PGC. Sensitive analyses were followed to validate the robustness of results. Random-effect meta-analysis was further performed to enhance the statistical power. RESULTS The MR analysis revealed that the Bifidobacteriales (IVW: OR 0.90, 95 %CI 0.83 to 0.98) and Bifidobacteriaceae (IVW: OR 0.90, 95 %CI 0.83 to 0.98) had a protective effect against depression. Clostridiales (cML-MA: OR 0.88, 95 %CI 0.81 to 0.95) and Parasutterella (cML-MA: OR 0.75, 95 %CI 0.64 to 0.88) showed negative associations with depression. Increased abundance of Oxalobacteraceae (cML-MA: OR 1.78, 95 %CI 1.24 to 2.56), Deltaproteobacteria (cML-MA: OR 2.17, 95 %CI 1.38 to 3.40), and Desulfovibrionales (cML-MA: OR 2.22, 95 %CI 1.41 to 3.49) was associated with a higher risk of depression. For anxiety, protective effects were found for Actinobacteria (phylum: IVW: OR 0.83, 95 %CI 0.76 to 0.87; class: IVW: OR 0.84, 95 %CI 0.75 to 0.93), Bifidobacteriales (IVW: OR 0.80, 95 %CI 0.75 to 0.85), Bifidobacteriaceae (IVW: OR 0.80, 95 %CI 0.75 to 0.85) and Bifidobacterium [g] (IVW: OR 0.79, 95 %CI 0.74 to 0.84). Lactobacillaceae [f] (cML-MA: OR 1.18, 95 %CI 1.08 to 1.28), Clostridia [c] (cML-MA: OR 1.15, 95 %CI 0.1.06 to 1.26) and Clostridiales [o] (IVW: OR 1.15, 95 %CI 1.05 to 1.27) were associated with increased anxiety risk. Meta-analysis results indicated significant associations, particularly the protective effects of Actinobacteria (OR 0.90, 95 % CI, 0.83 to 0.98) and Clostridiaceae1 (OR 0.91, 95 % CI, 0.83 to 0.99) on depression and several taxa on anxiety. No significant instrumental variables for depression or anxiety on gut microbiota were identified. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight specific gut microbiota that are associated with depression and anxiety, underscoring the causal relationships between these intestinal microbes and psychiatric disorders. These results suggest potential strategies for mitigating disease symptoms and improving quality of life through microbiome-targeted therapies. Further studies, including randomized controlled trials and investigations into sex-specific effects, are essential to validate and expand upon these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyong Lai
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Xiong
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Deng Y, Hao Z, Chen W, Zhang J, Zou Y, Zhang J, Xi Y, Xu J. Causal relationship between graves' disease and mental disorders: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. J Psychosom Res 2025; 192:112124. [PMID: 40209607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2025] [Accepted: 03/31/2025] [Indexed: 04/12/2025]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many patients with Graves' disease (GD) also suffer from mental disorders in clinical practice, but their causal relationship remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between GD and common mental disorders using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR)approach. METHODS We derived genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for common mental disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium consortium. GWAS data for GD were obtained from the FinnGen consortium. Subsequently, a bidirectional MR analysis was conducted, with the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) methods as the primary MR analysis method. Sensitivity analysis used Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out method. RESULTS IVW results in MR demonstrated a positive association between genetic susceptibility to GD and bipolar disorder (OR = 1.073, 95 % CI: 1.042-1.105, p = 2.882 × 10-6). Similar causal estimates were obtained through MR-Egger regression and the weighted median method. Additionally, both Cochran's Q test and MR-Egger intercept test indicated no evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy. However, no causal associations were demonstrated between GD and MDD, anxiety disorders, or ADHD. Furthermore, a causal relationship between genetic susceptibility to common mental disorders and GD was not evidenced. CONCLUSIONS This bidirectional MR study supports the role of GD in the causal association with an increased risk of bipolar disorder, which guides us to pay attention to the mental diseases of GD patients in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Deng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Zejin Hao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Junping Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Yun Zou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Yanhua Xi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Jixiong Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang,Jiangxi 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China; Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Nanchang 330006, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Domschke K, Schiele MA, Crespo Salvador Ó, Zillich L, Lipovsek J, Pittig A, Heinig I, Ridderbusch IC, Straube B, Richter J, Hollandt M, Plag J, Fydrich T, Koelkebeck K, Weber H, Lueken U, Dannlowski U, Margraf J, Schneider S, Binder EB, Ströhle A, Rief W, Kircher T, Pauli P, Hamm A, Arolt V, Hoyer J, Wittchen HU, Erhardt-Lehmann A, Köttgen A, Schlosser P, Deckert J. Epigenetic markers of disease risk and psychotherapy response in anxiety disorders - a longitudinal analysis of the DNA methylome. Mol Psychiatry 2025:10.1038/s41380-025-03038-5. [PMID: 40281224 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03038-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2025] [Accepted: 04/17/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are hypothesized to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders and to predict as well as relate to treatment response. An epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) (Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip) was performed at baseline (BL), post-treatment (POST) and 6-month follow-up (FU) in the so far largest longitudinal sample of patients with anxiety disorders (N = 415) treated with exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and in 315 healthy controls. Independent of comorbidity with depression, anxiety disorders were significantly (p ≤ 6.409E-08) associated with altered DNA methylation at 148 CpGs partly mapping to genes previously implicated in processes related to anxiety, brain disorders, learning or plasticity (e.g., GABBR2, GABRD, GAST, IL12RB2, LINC00293, LOC101928626, MFGE8, NOTCH4, PTPRN2, RIMBP2, SPTBN1) or in a recent cross-anxiety disorders EWAS (TAOK1) after pre-processing and quality control (N = 378 vs. N = 295). Furthermore, BL DNA methylation at seven and three CpGs, respectively, was suggestively (p < 1E-5) associated with treatment response at POST (ABCA7, ADRA2C, LTBR, RPSAP52, SH3RF3, SLC47A2, ZNF251) and FU (ADGRD1, PRSS58, USP47). Finally, suggestive evidence for dynamic epigenome-wide DNA methylation changes along with CBT response emerged at four CpGs from BL to FU (ADIPOR2, EIF3B, OCA2, TMCC1). The identification of epigenetic biomarkers may eventually aid in developing environment-based preventive strategies aimed at increasing resilience by providing deeper molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders. Defining epigenetic signatures as predictors or key mechanisms in exposure-based interventions could pave the way for more targeted and personalized treatments for anxiety disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Berlin/Potsdam, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Miriam A Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Óscar Crespo Salvador
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lea Zillich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Lipovsek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andre Pittig
- Translational Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ingmar Heinig
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Isabelle C Ridderbusch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy & Center for Mind Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy & Center for Mind Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maike Hollandt
- Department of Psychology, Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jens Plag
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas Fydrich
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Koelkebeck
- LVR-University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Heike Weber
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Lueken
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Berlin/Potsdam, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jürgen Margraf
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Silvia Schneider
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Dept. Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Ströhle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center for Mind Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alfons Hamm
- Department of Psychology, Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Volker Arolt
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hoyer
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Wittchen
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Angelika Erhardt-Lehmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Dept. Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Köttgen
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pascal Schlosser
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies (CIBSS), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Dardani C, Robinson JW, Jones HJ, Rai D, Stergiakouli E, Grove J, Gardner R, McIntosh AM, Havdahl A, Hemani G, Davey Smith G, Richardson TG, Gaunt TR, Khandaker GM. Immunological drivers and potential novel drug targets for major psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative conditions. Mol Psychiatry 2025:10.1038/s41380-025-03032-x. [PMID: 40281223 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03032-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2025] [Accepted: 04/11/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025]
Abstract
Immune dysfunction is implicated in the aetiology of psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative conditions, but the issue of causality remains unclear impeding attempts to develop new interventions. Using genomic data on protein and gene expression across blood and brain, we assessed evidence of a potential causal role for 736 immune response-related biomarkers on 7 neuropsychiatric conditions by applying Mendelian randomization (MR) and genetic colocalisation analyses. A systematic three-tier approach, grouping biomarkers based on increasingly stringent criteria, was used to appraise evidence of causality (passing MR sensitivity analyses, colocalisation, False Discovery Rate and Bonferroni thresholds). We provide evidence for a potential causal role of 29 biomarkers for 7 conditions. The identified biomarkers suggest a role of both brain specific and systemic immune response in the aetiology of schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and bipolar disorder. Of the identified biomarkers, 20 are therapeutically tractable, including ACE, TNFRSF17, SERPING1, AGER and CD40, with drugs currently approved or in advanced clinical trials. Based on the largest available selection of plasma immune-response related biomarkers, our study provides insight into possible influential biomarkers for the aetiology of neuropsychiatric conditions. These genetically prioritised biomarkers now require examination to further evaluate causality, their role in the aetiological mechanisms underlying the conditions, and therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Dardani
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
- Research Department, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jamie W Robinson
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hannah J Jones
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute of Health and Care Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Dheeraj Rai
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute of Health and Care Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Evie Stergiakouli
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jakob Grove
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Aarhus, Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Renee Gardner
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Research Department, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gibran Hemani
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute of Health and Care Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tom G Richardson
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute of Health and Care Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Golam M Khandaker
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- National Institute of Health and Care Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zeng J, Qiu Y, Yang C, Fan X, Zhou X, Zhang C, Zhu S, Long Y, Hashimoto K, Chang L, Wei Y. Cardiovascular diseases and depression: A meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2025:10.1038/s41380-025-03003-2. [PMID: 40247128 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2025] [Accepted: 03/27/2025] [Indexed: 04/19/2025]
Abstract
Depression is a common psychiatric symptom among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), adversely affecting their health. Despite the identification of various contributing factors, the precise mechanisms linking CVD and depression remain elusive. This study conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between CVD and depression. Furthermore, a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was undertaken to clarify the causal relationship between the two conditions. The meta-analysis included 39 studies, encompassing 63,444 patients with CVD, 12,308 of whom were diagnosed with depression. The results revealed a significant association between CVD and depression or anxiety, with an estimated overall prevalence of depression in CVD patients of 20.8%. Subgroup analyses showed that the prevalence of depression in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure was 19.8% and 24.7%, respectively. According to a random-effects model, depressive symptoms were linked to an increase in unadjusted all-cause mortality compared with non-depressed patients. The MR analysis, employing the inverse-variance weighted method as the primary tool for causality assessment, identified significant associations between various CVD types and depression or anxiety phenotypes. These findings underscore the significant relationship between CVD and depression or anxiety, leading to an elevated risk of all-cause mortality. Moreover, the MR analysis provides the first genetically-informed evidence suggesting that depression plays a critical role in the development and progression of certain CVD subtypes. This emphasizes the need for addressing depressive symptoms in CVD patients to prevent or reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuting Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Chengying Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinrong Fan
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhou
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Department of Thyroid and Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunxiang Zhang
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Sui Zhu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Long
- Metabolic Vascular Disease Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
- Experimental Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Lijia Chang
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Korbmacher M, Tranfa M, Pontillo G, van der Meer D, Wang MY, Andreassen OA, Westlye LT, Maximov II. White matter microstructure links with brain, bodily and genetic attributes in adolescence, mid- and late life. Neuroimage 2025; 310:121132. [PMID: 40096952 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121132] [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: 11/27/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2025] [Accepted: 03/07/2025] [Indexed: 03/19/2025] Open
Abstract
Advanced diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) allows one to probe and assess brain white matter (WM) organisation and microstructure in vivo. Various dMRI models with different theoretical and practical assumptions have been developed, representing partly overlapping characteristics of the underlying brain biology with potentially complementary value in the cognitive and clinical neurosciences. To which degree the different dMRI metrics relate to clinically relevant geno- and phenotypes is still debated. Hence, we investigate how tract-based and whole WM skeleton parameters from different dMRI approaches associate with clinically relevant and white matter-related phenotypes (sex, age, pulse pressure (PP), body-mass-index (BMI), brain asymmetry) and genetic markers in the UK Biobank (UKB, n=52,140) and the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (n=5,844). In general, none of the imaging approaches could explain all examined phenotypes, though the approaches were overall similar in explaining variability of the examined phenotypes. Nevertheless, particular diffusion parameters of the used dMRI approaches stood out in explaining some important phenotypes known to correlate with general human health outcomes. A multi-compartment Bayesian dMRI approach provided the strongest WM associations with age, and together with diffusion tensor imaging, the largest accuracy for sex-classifications. We find a similar pattern of metric and tract-dependent asymmetries across datasets, with stronger asymmetries in ABCD data. The magnitude of WM associations with polygenic scores as well as PP depended more on the sample, and likely age, than dMRI metrics. However, kurtosis was most indicative of BMI and potentially of bipolar disorder polygenic scores. We conclude that WM microstructure is differentially associated with clinically relevant pheno- and genotypes at different points in life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max Korbmacher
- Neuro-SysMed Center of Excellence for Clinical Research in Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre (MMIV),Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Mario Tranfa
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,Amsterdam UMC location VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Pontillo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,Amsterdam UMC location VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Brain Repair & Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology,University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- Center for Precision Psychiatry, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Meng-Yun Wang
- Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- Center for Precision Psychiatry, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars T Westlye
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ivan I Maximov
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Korbmacher M, Vidal‐Pineiro D, Wang M, van der Meer D, Wolfers T, Nakua H, Eikefjord E, Andreassen OA, Westlye LT, Maximov II. Cross-Sectional Brain Age Assessments Are Limited in Predicting Future Brain Change. Hum Brain Mapp 2025; 46:e70203. [PMID: 40235434 PMCID: PMC12000824 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.70203] [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: 12/19/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2025] [Accepted: 03/17/2025] [Indexed: 04/17/2025] Open
Abstract
The concept of brain age (BA) describes an integrative imaging marker of brain health, often suggested to reflect aging processes. However, the degree to which cross-sectional MRI features, including BA, reflect past, ongoing, and future brain changes across different tissue types from macro- to microstructure remains controversial. Here, we use multimodal imaging data of 39,325 UK Biobank participants, aged 44-82 years at baseline and 2,520 follow-ups within 1.12-6.90 years to examine BA changes and their relationship to anatomical brain changes. We find insufficient evidence to conclude that BA reflects the rate of brain aging. However, modality-specific differences in brain ages reflect the state of the brain, highlighting diffusion and multimodal MRI brain age as potentially useful cross-sectional markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max Korbmacher
- Department of Health and FunctioningWestern Norway University of Applied SciencesBergenNorway
- Department of NeurologyNeuro‐SysMed Center of Excellence for Clinical Research in Neurological Diseases, Haukeland University HospitalBergenNorway
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre (MMIV)BergenNorway
| | - Didac Vidal‐Pineiro
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Meng‐Yun Wang
- Max Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Thomas Wolfers
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental HealthUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Hajer Nakua
- Columbia University Irving Medical CentreColumbia UniversityNew York CityUSA
| | - Eli Eikefjord
- Department of Health and FunctioningWestern Norway University of Applied SciencesBergenNorway
- Department of NeurologyNeuro‐SysMed Center of Excellence for Clinical Research in Neurological Diseases, Haukeland University HospitalBergenNorway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Lars T. Westlye
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Ivan I. Maximov
- Department of Health and FunctioningWestern Norway University of Applied SciencesBergenNorway
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yao XI, Sun S, Yang Q, Tong X, Shen C. Associations between multiple ambient air pollutants, genetic risk, and incident mental disorders: An interaction study in the UK population. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2025; 973:179137. [PMID: 40120411 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2025] [Accepted: 03/12/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
Mental disorders can be triggered by genetic and environmental risk factors. Limited studies have explored the effects of long-term exposure to air pollution on mental disorders, and most of the studies have focused on individual air pollutants. This study aimed to examine the relationship between long-term exposure to multiple air pollutants and incident mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, and whether the associations were affected by genetic susceptibility. Participants in the UK Biobank with no history of mental disorders were followed from baseline (2006 to 2010) to October 31st, 2022. Cox regression was applied to evaluate the correlation between PM2.5 absorbance, PM2.5, PM2.5-10, PM10, NO2, and NOx and any or specific mental disorders. Additive and multiplicative scales were used to measure the interaction between air pollution and schizophrenia polygenic risk score (PRS), depression PRS, or anxiety PRS on specific mental diseases. After a median of 13.36 years of follow-up on 252,376 participants, we observed per interquartile increase of PM2.5 absorbance (0.32 per meter), PM2.5 (1.28 μg/m3), NO2 (10.08 μg/m3), and NOx (16.78 μg/m3) were related to a 2-6 % higher risk of incident mental disorders. The HR (95 % CI) of incident mental disorder for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartile of the air pollution score were 1.05 (1.01-1.18), 1.13 (1.09-1.18), and 1.14 (1.09-1.19), respectively, in comparison to the lowest level of the score. Per interquartile increase in the air pollution score was associated with a 6 %, 24 %, 4 %, and 6 % higher risk of incident mental disorders, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, respectively. No interaction between air pollution and genetic risk of schizophrenia, depression or anxiety on corresponding incident disorders was observed. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing air pollution control standards to decrease the burden of mental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxin I Yao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, PR China; Department of Clinical Research, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, PR China
| | - Shengzhi Sun
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Qian Yang
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Xinning Tong
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, PR China.
| | - Chen Shen
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, Imperial College London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bruxel EM, Rovaris DL, Belangero SI, Chavarría-Soley G, Cuellar-Barboza AB, Martínez-Magaña JJ, Nagamatsu ST, Nievergelt CM, Núñez-Ríos DL, Ota VK, Peterson RE, Sloofman LG, Adams AM, Albino E, Alvarado AT, Andrade-Brito D, Arguello-Pascualli PY, Bandeira CE, Bau CHD, Bulik CM, Buxbaum JD, Cappi C, Corral-Frias NS, Corrales A, Corsi-Zuelli F, Crowley JJ, Cupertino RB, da Silva BS, De Almeida SS, De la Hoz JF, Forero DA, Fries GR, Gelernter J, González-Giraldo Y, Grevet EH, Grice DE, Hernández-Garayua A, Hettema JM, Ibáñez A, Ionita-Laza I, Lattig MC, Lima YC, Lin YS, López-León S, Loureiro CM, Martínez-Cerdeño V, Martínez-Levy GA, Melin K, Moreno-De-Luca D, Muniz Carvalho C, Olivares AM, Oliveira VF, Ormond R, Palmer AA, Panzenhagen AC, Passos-Bueno MR, Peng Q, Pérez-Palma E, Prieto ML, Roussos P, Sanchez-Roige S, Santamaría-García H, Shansis FM, Sharp RR, Storch EA, Tavares MEA, Tietz GE, Torres-Hernández BA, Tovo-Rodrigues L, Trelles P, Trujillo-ChiVacuan EM, Velásquez MM, Vera-Urbina F, Voloudakis G, Wegman-Ostrosky T, Zhen-Duan J, Zhou H, Santoro ML, Nicolini H, Atkinson EG, Giusti-Rodríguez P, Montalvo-Ortiz JL. Psychiatric genetics in the diverse landscape of Latin American populations. Nat Genet 2025:10.1038/s41588-025-02127-z. [PMID: 40175716 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02127-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2025] [Indexed: 04/04/2025]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are highly heritable and polygenic, influenced by environmental factors and often comorbid. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs) through consortium efforts have identified genetic risk loci and revealed the underlying biology of psychiatric disorders and traits. However, over 85% of psychiatric GWAS participants are of European ancestry, limiting the applicability of these findings to non-European populations. Latin America and the Caribbean, regions marked by diverse genetic admixture, distinct environments and healthcare disparities, remain critically understudied in psychiatric genomics. This threatens access to precision psychiatry, where diversity is crucial for innovation and equity. This Review evaluates the current state and advancements in psychiatric genomics within Latin America and the Caribbean, discusses the prevalence and burden of psychiatric disorders, explores contributions to psychiatric GWASs from these regions and highlights methods that account for genetic diversity. We also identify existing gaps and challenges and propose recommendations to promote equity in psychiatric genomics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estela M Bruxel
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Diego L Rovaris
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sintia I Belangero
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Chavarría-Soley
- Escuela de Biología y Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Alfredo B Cuellar-Barboza
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, México
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - José J Martínez-Magaña
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sheila T Nagamatsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Diana L Núñez-Ríos
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vanessa K Ota
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roseann E Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Institute for Genomics in Health, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Laura G Sloofman
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amy M Adams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Elinette Albino
- School of Health Professions, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Angel T Alvarado
- Research Unit in Molecular Pharmacology and Genomic Medicine, VRI, San Ignacio de Loyola University, La Molina, Perú
| | | | - Paola Y Arguello-Pascualli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cibele E Bandeira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claiton H D Bau
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratory of Developmental Psychiatry, Center of Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carolina Cappi
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Alejo Corrales
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Fabiana Corsi-Zuelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - James J Crowley
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Renata B Cupertino
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bruna S da Silva
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Suzannah S De Almeida
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan F De la Hoz
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Diego A Forero
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gabriel R Fries
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yeimy González-Giraldo
- Biomedical Sciences Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Eugenio H Grevet
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dorothy E Grice
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adriana Hernández-Garayua
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - John M Hettema
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Agustín Ibáñez
- Latin American Brain Health Institute, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Iuliana Ionita-Laza
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Yago C Lima
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yi-Sian Lin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sandra López-León
- Quantitative Safety Epidemiology, Novartis Pharma, East Hanover, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Camila M Loureiro
- Department of Neuroscience, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela A Martínez-Levy
- Department of Genetics, Subdirectorate of Clinical Research, National Institute of Psychiatry, México City, México
- Department of Cell and Tissular Biology, Medicine Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico, México City, México
| | - Kyle Melin
- School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Daniel Moreno-De-Luca
- Precision Medicine in Autism Group, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, CASA Mental Health, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Ana Maria Olivares
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor F Oliveira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafaella Ormond
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Abraham A Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alana C Panzenhagen
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Translacional em Comportamento Suicida, Universidade do Vale do Taquari, Lajeado, Brazil
| | - Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Departmento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Qian Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Palma
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Centro de Genética y Genómica, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel L Prieto
- Mental Health Service, Clínica Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Panos Roussos
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandra Sanchez-Roige
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Hernando Santamaría-García
- PhD Program of Neuroscience, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Hospital San Ignacio, Center for Memory and Cognition, Intellectus, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Flávio M Shansis
- Graduate Program of Medical Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Taquari, Lajeado, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rachel R Sharp
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eric A Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Eduarda A Tavares
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Grace E Tietz
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Pilar Trelles
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eva M Trujillo-ChiVacuan
- Research Department, Comenzar de Nuevo Eating Disorders Treatment Center, Monterrey, México
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, México
| | - Maria M Velásquez
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fernando Vera-Urbina
- School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Georgios Voloudakis
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jenny Zhen-Duan
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hang Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marcos L Santoro
- Disciplina de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Humberto Nicolini
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Psiquiátricas, Neurodegenerativas y Adicciones, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City, México
| | - Elizabeth G Atkinson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Paola Giusti-Rodríguez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Janitza L Montalvo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Psychiatry Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Deng Z, Hou T. A commentary on "female genital prolapse and risk of psychiatric disorders: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis". J Affect Disord 2025; 374:563-564. [PMID: 39842670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2025] [Indexed: 01/24/2025]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Deng
- Chengdu First People's Hospital, China; Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Magarbeh L, Elsheikh SSM, Islam F, Marshe VS, Men X, Tavakoli E, Kronenbuerger M, Kloiber S, Frey BN, Milev R, Soares CN, Parikh SV, Placenza F, Hassel S, Taylor VH, Leri F, Blier P, Uher R, Farzan F, Lam RW, Turecki G, Foster JA, Rotzinger S, Kennedy SH, Müller DJ. Polygenic Risk Score Analysis of Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes: A CAN-BIND-1 Study Report: Analyse des résultats du traitement antidépresseur à l'aide des scores de risque polygéniques : Rapport sur l'étude CAN-BIND-1. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2025:7067437251329073. [PMID: 40156272 PMCID: PMC11955985 DOI: 10.1177/07067437251329073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/01/2025]
Abstract
ObjectiveThe genetic architecture of antidepressant response is poorly understood. This study investigated whether polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for major psychiatric disorders and a personality trait (neuroticism) are associated with antidepressant treatment outcomes.MethodsWe analysed 148 participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) from the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network for Depression-1 (CAN-BIND-1) cohort. Participants initially received escitalopram (ESC) monotherapy for 8 weeks. Nonresponders at week 8 received augmentation with aripiprazole (ARI), while responders continued ESC until week 16. Primary outcomes were remission status and symptom improvement measured at weeks 8 and 16. At week 16, post-hoc stratified analyses were performed by treatment arm (ESC-only vs. ESC + ARI). Eleven PRSs derived from genome-wide association studies of psychiatric disorders (e.g., MDD and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)) and neuroticism, were analysed for associations with these outcomes using logistic and linear regression models.ResultsAt week 8, a higher PRS for PTSD was nominally associated with a lower probability of remission (odds ratio (OR) = 0.08 [0.014-0.42], empirical p-value = 0.017) and reduced symptom improvement (beta (standard error) = -29.15 (9.76), empirical p-value = 0.019). Similarly, a higher PRS for MDD was nominally associated with decreased remission probability (OR = 0.38 [0.18-0.78], empirical p-value = 0.044). However, none of the results survived multiple testing corrections. At week 16, the stratified analysis for the ESC-only group revealed that a higher PRS for MDD was associated with increased remission probability (empirical p-value = 0.034) and greater symptom improvement (empirical p-value = 0.02). In contrast, higher PRSs for schizophrenia (empirical p-value = 0.013) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (empirical p-value = 0.032) were associated with lower symptom improvement. No significant associations were observed in the ESC + ARI group.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that PRSs may influence treatment outcomes, particularly in ESC monotherapy. Replication in larger studies is needed to validate these observations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leen Magarbeh
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samar S. M. Elsheikh
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Farhana Islam
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Victoria S. Marshe
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Men
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Emytis Tavakoli
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Kronenbuerger
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stefan Kloiber
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benicio N. Frey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Roumen Milev
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Claudio N. Soares
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Sagar V. Parikh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Franca Placenza
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stefanie Hassel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Valerie H. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Francesco Leri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Pierre Blier
- The Royal Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rudolf Uher
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Faranak Farzan
- Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada
| | - Raymond W. Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Jane A. Foster
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Susan Rotzinger
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sidney H. Kennedy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel J. Müller
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Dinkelbach L, Peters T, Grasemann C, Hinney A, Hirtz R. The causal role of male pubertal timing for the development of externalizing and internalizing traits: results from Mendelian randomization studies. Psychol Med 2025; 55:e101. [PMID: 40151865 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291725000352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preexisting epidemiological studies suggest that early pubertal development in males is associated with externalizing (e.g. conduct problems, risky behavior, and aggression) and internalizing (e.g. depression and anxiety) traits and disorders. However, due to problems inherent to observational studies, especially of residual confounding, it remains unclear whether these associations are causal. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies take advantage of the random allocation of genes at conception and can establish causal relationships. METHODS In this study, N = 76 independent genetic variants for male puberty timing (MPT) were derived from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 205,354 participants and used as an instrumental variable in MR studies on 17 externalizing and internalizing traits and psychopathologies utilizing outcome GWAS with 16,400-1,045,957 participants. RESULTS In these MR studies, earlier MPT was significantly associated with higher scores for the overarching phenotype of 'Externalizing Traits' (b = -0.03, 95% CI [-0.06, -0.01]). However, this effect was likely driven by an earlier age at first sexual contact (b = -0.17, 95% CI [-0.21, -0.13]), without evidence for an effect on further externalizing phenotypes. Regarding internalizing phenotypes, earlier MPT was associated with higher levels of the 'Depressed Affect' subdomain of neuroticism (b = -0.04, 95% CI [-0.07, -0.01]). Late MPT was related to higher scores of internalizing traits in early life (b = 0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.08]). CONCLUSIONS This comprehensive MR study supports a causal effect of MPT on specific traits and behaviors. However, no evidence for an effect of MPT on long-term clinical outcomes (depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol dependency, cannabis abuse) was found.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lars Dinkelbach
- Department of Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Sex- and Gender-sensitive Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Triinu Peters
- Institute of Sex- and Gender-sensitive Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Section of Molecular Genetics in Mental Disorders, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Corinna Grasemann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rare Diseases and CeSER, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Institute of Sex- and Gender-sensitive Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Section of Molecular Genetics in Mental Disorders, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Raphael Hirtz
- Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University, Wuppertal, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lee PH, Jung JY, Sanzo BT, Duan R, Ge T, 23andMe Research Team, Waldman I, Smoller JW, Schwaba T, Tucker-Drob EM, Grotzinger AD. Transdiagnostic Polygenic Risk Models for Psychopathology and Comorbidity: Cross-Ancestry Analysis in the All of Us Research Program. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2025:2025.03.26.25324720. [PMID: 40196240 PMCID: PMC11974969 DOI: 10.1101/2025.03.26.25324720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2025]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders exhibit substantial genetic overlap, raising questions about the utility of transdiagnostic genetic risk models. Using data from the All of Us Research Program (N=102,091), we evaluated common psychiatric genetic (CPG) factor-based polygenic risk scores (PRSs) compared to standard disorder-specific PRSs. The CPG PRS consistently outperformed disorder-specific scores in predicting individual disorder risk, explaining 1.07 to 24.6 times more phenotypic variance across 11 psychiatric conditions. Meanwhile, many disorder-specific PRSs retained independent but smaller contributions, highlighting the complementary nature of shared and disorder-specific genetic risk. While alternative multi-factor models improved model fit, the CPG PRS provided comparable or superior predictive performance across most disorders, including overall comorbidity burden. Cross-ancestry analyses however revealed notable limitations of European-centric GWAS datasets for other populations due to ancestral differences in genetic architecture. These findings underscore the potential value of transdiagnostic PRSs for psychiatric genetics while highlighting the need for more equitable genetic risk models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phil H. Lee
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanly Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jae-Yoon Jung
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brandon T. Sanzo
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rui Duan
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tian Ge
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanly Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Irwin Waldman
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jordan W. Smoller
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanly Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ted Schwaba
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, MI, USA
| | | | - Andrew D. Grotzinger
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhang Z, Bao S, Yan D, Zhai M, Qu J, Zhou M. Causal Relationships Between Retinal Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders Have Implications for Precision Psychiatry. Mol Neurobiol 2025; 62:3182-3194. [PMID: 39240279 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04456-2] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Observational studies and clinical trials have reported potential associations between retinal diseases and psychiatric disorders. However, the causal associations between them have remained elusive. In this study, we used bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore unconfounded causal relationships between retinal diseases and psychiatric disorders using large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of over 500,000 participants of European ancestry from the FinnGen project, the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, the European Bioinformatics Institute, and the UK Biobank. Our MR analysis revealed significant causal relationships between major retinal diseases and specific psychiatric disorders. Specifically, susceptibility to dry age-related macular degeneration was associated with a reduced risk of anorexia nervosa (OR = 0.970; 95% CI = 0.930 ~ 0.994; P = 0.025). Furthermore, we found some evidence that exposure to diabetic retinopathy was associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia (OR = 1.021; 95% CI 1.012 ~ 1.049; P = 0.001), and exposure to retinal detachments and breaks was associated with an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (OR = 1.190; 95% CI 1.063 ~ 1.333; P = 0.003). These causal relationships were not confounded by biases of pleiotropy and reverse causation. Our study highlights the importance of preventing and managing retinal disease as a potential avenue for improving the prevention, management and treatment of major psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zicheng Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Hainan Institute of Real World Data, Qionghai, 571437, China
| | - Siqi Bao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Hainan Institute of Real World Data, Qionghai, 571437, China
| | - Dongxue Yan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Hainan Institute of Real World Data, Qionghai, 571437, China
| | - Modi Zhai
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Jia Qu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- Hainan Institute of Real World Data, Qionghai, 571437, China.
| | - Meng Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Davis CN, Khan Y, Toikumo S, Jinwala Z, Boomsma DI, Levey DF, Gelernter J, Kember RL, Kranzler HR. Integrating HiTOP and RDoC Frameworks Part I: Genetic Architecture of Externalizing and Internalizing Psychopathology. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2025:2024.04.06.24305166. [PMID: 38645045 PMCID: PMC11030494 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.06.24305166] [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: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Background There is considerable comorbidity between externalizing (EXT) and internalizing (INT) psychopathology. Understanding the shared genetic underpinnings of these spectra is crucial for advancing knowledge of their biological bases and informing empirical models like the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) and Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP). Methods We applied genomic structural equation modeling to summary statistics from 16 EXT and INT traits in European-ancestry individuals (n = 16,400 to 1,074,629). Traits included clinical (e.g., major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder) and subclinical measures (e.g., risk tolerance, irritability). We tested five confirmatory factor models to identify the best fitting and most parsimonious genetic architecture and then conducted multivariate genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the resulting latent factors. Results A two-factor correlated model, representing EXT and INT spectra, provided the best fit to the data. There was a moderate genetic correlation between EXT and INT (r = 0.37, SE = 0.02), with bivariate causal mixture models showing extensive overlap in causal variants across the two spectra (94.64%, SE = 3.27). Multivariate GWAS identified 409 lead genetic variants for EXT, 85 for INT, and 256 for the shared traits. Conclusions The shared genetic liabilities for EXT and INT identified here help to characterize the genetic architecture underlying these frequently comorbid forms of psychopathology. The findings provide a framework for future research aimed at understanding the shared and distinct biological mechanisms underlying psychopathology, which will help to refine psychiatric classification systems and potentially inform treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christal N. Davis
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yousef Khan
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sylvanus Toikumo
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zeal Jinwala
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dorret I. Boomsma
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel F. Levey
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joel Gelernter
- VA Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry, Genetics, and Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rachel L. Kember
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry R. Kranzler
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Dang W, Hao T, Li N, Zhang H, Li Z, Yu H, Wen Y, Zheng D, Liu L. Investigating shared risk variants and genetic etiology between Alzheimer's disease and three stress-related psychiatric disorders: a large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2025; 6:1488528. [PMID: 39975850 PMCID: PMC11837265 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2025.1488528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2025] [Indexed: 02/21/2025]
Abstract
Introduction Observational studies have reported that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have a greater burden of comorbidities typically associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders. However, the contribution of hereditary factors to this comorbidity remains unclear. We evaluated phenotypic associations using observational data from the UK Biobank. Method Our study focused on investigating the shared risk variants and genetic etiology underlying AD and three stress-related psychiatric disorders: post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. By leveraging summary statistics from genome-wide association studies, we investigated global genetic correlations using linkage disequilibrium score regression, genetic covariance analysis, and high-definition likelihood. Genome-wide cross-trait analysis with association analysis based on subsets and cross-phenotype association were performed to discover genome-wide significant risk variants shared between AD and the three stress-related psychiatric disorders. Results A significant positive genetic correlation was observed between AD and major depressive disorder using linkage disequilibrium score regression (rg = 0.231; P = 0.018), genetic covariance analysis (rg = 0.138; P < 0.001), and high-definition likelihood (rg = 0.188; P < 0.001). Association analysis based on subsets and cross-phenotype association revealed thirteen risk variants in six genes shared between AD and post-traumatic stress disorder; seven risk variants in four genes shared between AD and anxiety disorder; and 23 risk variants in four genes shared between AD and major depressive disorder. Functional annotation and gene-set enrichment analysis indicated that 12 genes for comorbidity shared between patients with AD and all three stress-related psychiatric disorders were enriched in the spleen, pancreas, and whole blood. Conclusion These results advance our knowledge of the shared genetic origins of comorbidities and pave the way for advancements in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of stress-related AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Dang
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Tianqi Hao
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hualin Zhang
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Ziqi Li
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Hongmei Yu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yalu Wen
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deqiang Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
van Hooijdonk KJM, Reed ZE, van den Broek N, Singh M, Sallis HM, Gillespie NA, Munafò MR, Vink JM. Triangulated evidence provides no support for bidirectional causal pathways between diet/physical activity and depression/anxiety. Psychol Med 2025; 55:e4. [PMID: 39901860 PMCID: PMC7617483 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724003349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2024] [Revised: 11/20/2024] [Accepted: 11/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies (various designs) present contradicting insights on the potential causal effects of diet/physical activity on depression/anxiety (and vice versa). To clarify this, we employed a triangulation framework including three methods with unique strengths/limitations/potential biases to examine possible bidirectional causal effects of diet/physical activity on depression/anxiety. METHODS Study 1: 3-wave longitudinal study (n = 9,276 Dutch University students). Using random intercept cross-lagged panel models to study temporal associations. Study 2: cross-sectional study (n = 341 monozygotic and n = 415 dizygotic Australian adult twin pairs). Using a co-twin control design to separate genetic/environmental confounding. Study 3: Mendelian randomization utilizing data (European ancestry) from genome-wide association studies (n varied between 17,310 and 447,401). Using genetic variants as instrumental variables to study causal inference. RESULTS Study 1 did not provide support for bidirectional causal effects between diet/physical activity and symptoms of depression/anxiety. Study 2 did provide support for causal effects between fruit/vegetable intake and symptoms of depression/anxiety, mixed support for causal effects between physical activity and symptoms of depression/anxiety, and no support for causal effects between sweet/savoury snack intake and symptoms of depression/anxiety. Study 3 provides support for a causal effect from increased fruit intake to the increased likelihood of anxiety. No support was found for other pathways. Adjusting the analyses including diet for physical activity (and vice versa) did not change the conclusions in any study. CONCLUSIONS Triangulating the evidence across the studies did not provide compelling support for causal effects of diet/physical activity on depression/anxiety or vice versa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoe E. Reed
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nina van den Broek
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Madhurbain Singh
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, RichmondVA, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, RichmondVA, USA
| | - Hannah M. Sallis
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Nathan A. Gillespie
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, RichmondVA, USA
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marcus R. Munafò
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jacqueline M. Vink
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhou Y, Duan J, Zhu J, Huang Y, Tu T, Wu K, Lin Q, Ma Y, Liu Q. Casual associations between frailty and nine mental disorders: bidirectional Mendelian randomisation study. BJPsych Open 2025; 11:e28. [PMID: 39895115 PMCID: PMC11822947 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2024.835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 10/11/2024] [Accepted: 11/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of observational studies have reported associations between frailty and mental disorders, but the causality remains ambiguous. AIMS To assess the bidirectional causal relationship between frailty and nine mental disorders. METHOD We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomisation on genome-wide association study summary data, to investigate causality between frailty and nine mental disorders. Causal effects were primarily estimated using inverse variance weighted method. Several secondary analyses were applied to verify the results. Cochran's Q-test and Mendelian randomisation Egger intercept were applied to evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. RESULTS Genetically determined frailty was significantly associated with increased risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) (odds ratio 1.86, 95% CI 1.36-2.53, P = 8.1 × 10-5), anxiety (odds ratio 2.76, 95% CI 1.56-4.90, P = 5.0 × 10-4), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (odds ratio 2.56, 95% CI 1.69-3.87, P = 9.9 × 10-6), neuroticism (β = 0.25, 95% CI 0.11-0.38, P = 3.3 × 10-4) and insomnia (β = 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-0.75, P = 1.1 × 10-4). Conversely, genetic liability to MDD, neuroticism, insomnia and suicide attempt significantly increased risk of frailty (MDD: β = 0.071, 95% CI 0.033-0.110, P = 2.8 × 10-4; neuroticism: β = 0.269, 95% CI 0.173-0.365, P = 3.4 × 10-8; insomnia: β = 0.160, 95% CI 0.141-0.179, P = 3.2 × 10-61; suicide attempt: β = 0.056, 95% CI 0.029-0.084, P = 3.4 × 10-5). There was a suggestive detrimental association of frailty on suicide attempt and an inverse relationship of subjective well-being on frailty. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show bidirectional causal associations between frailty and MDD, insomnia and neuroticism. Additionally, higher frailty levels are associated with anxiety and PTSD, and suicide attempts are correlated with increased frailty. Understanding these associations is crucial for the effective management of frailty and improvement of mental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiayue Duan
- Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayi Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yunying Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Tu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Keke Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiuzhen Lin
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yingxu Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiming Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Vergunov EG, Savostyanov VA, Makarova AA, Nikolaeva EI, Savostyanov AN. Computer reconstruction of gene networks controlling anxiety levels in humans and laboratory mice. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2025; 29:162-170. [PMID: 40144367 PMCID: PMC11937012 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-25-19] [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: 11/09/2024] [Revised: 12/16/2024] [Accepted: 12/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Anxiety is a normotypic human condition, and like any other emotion has an adaptive value. But excessively high or low anxiety has negative consequences for adaptation, which primarily determines the importance of studying these two extreme conditions. At the same time, it is known that the perception of aversive stimuli associated with anxiety leads to changes in the activity of the brain's cingulate cortex. The advantage of animals as models in studying the genetic bases of anxiety in humans is in the ability to subtly control the external conditions of formation of a certain state, the availability of brain tissues, and the ability to create and study transgenic models, including through the use of differentially expressed genes of small laboratory animals from the family Muridae with low and high anxiety. Within the framework of the translational approach, a three-domain potential gene network, which is associated with generalized anxiety in humans, was reconstructed using mouse models with different levels of anxiety by automatically analyzing the texts of scientific articles. One domain is associated with reduced anxiety in humans, the second with increased anxiety, and the third is a dispatcher who activates one of the two domains depending on the status of the organism (genetic, epigenetic, physiological). Stages of work: (I) A list of genes expressed in the cingulate cortex of the wild type CD-1 mouse line from the NCBI GEO database (experiment GSE29014). Using the tools of this database, differences in gene expression levels were revealed in groups of mice with low and high (relatively normal) anxiety. (II) Search for orthologs of DEG in humans and mice associated with anxiety in the OMA Orthology database. (III) Computer reconstruction using the ANDSystem cognitive system based on (a) human orthologous genes from stage (III), (b) human genes from the MalaCards database associated with human anxiety. The proven methods of the translational approach for the reconstruction of gene networks for behavior regulation can be used to identify molecular genetic markers of human personality traits, propensity to psychopathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E G Vergunov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia Scientific Research Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - A A Makarova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - A N Savostyanov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia Scientific Research Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kouhsar M, Weymouth L, Smith AR, Imm J, Bredemeyer C, Wedatilake Y, Torkamani A, Bergh S, Selbæk G, Mill J, Ballard C, Sweet RA, Kofler J, Creese B, Pishva E, Lunnon K. A brain DNA co-methylation network analysis of psychosis in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2025; 21:e14501. [PMID: 39936280 PMCID: PMC11815327 DOI: 10.1002/alz.14501] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 11/22/2024] [Accepted: 12/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2025]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The presence of psychosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is suggested to be associated with distinct molecular and neuropathological profiles in the brain. METHODS We assessed brain DNA methylation in AD donors with psychosis (AD+P) and without psychosis (AD-P) using the EPIC array. Weighted gene correlation network analysis identified modules of co-methylated genes in a discovery cohort (PITT-ADRC: N = 113 AD+P, N = 40 AD-P), with validation in an independent cohort (BDR: N = 79 AD+P, N = 117 AD-P), with Gene Ontology and cell-type enrichment analysis. Genetic data were integrated to identify methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTLs), which were co-localized with GWAS for related traits. RESULTS We replicated one AD+P associated module, which was enriched for synaptic pathways and in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. mQTLs in this module co-localized with variants associated with schizophrenia and educational attainment. DISCUSSION This represents the largest epigenetic study of AD+P to date, identifying pleiotropic relationships between AD+P and related traits. HIGHLIGHTS DNA methylation was assessed in the prefrontal cortex in subjects with AD+P and AD-P. WGCNA identified six modules of co-methylated loci associated with AD+P in a discovery cohort. One of the modules was replicated in an independent cohort. This module was enriched for synaptic genes and in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. mQTLs mapping to genes in the module co-localized with GWAS loci for schizophrenia and educational attainment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Kouhsar
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| | - Luke Weymouth
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| | - Adam R. Smith
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| | - Jennifer Imm
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| | - Claudia Bredemeyer
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| | - Yehani Wedatilake
- Norwegian National Centre for Aging and HealthVestfold Hospital TrustTønsbergNorway
- Research Centre for Age‐related Functional Decline and DiseaseInnlandet Hospital TrustOttestadNorway
| | | | - Sverre Bergh
- Norwegian National Centre for Aging and HealthVestfold Hospital TrustTønsbergNorway
- Research Centre for Age‐related Functional Decline and DiseaseInnlandet Hospital TrustOttestadNorway
| | - Geir Selbæk
- Norwegian National Centre for Aging and HealthVestfold Hospital TrustTønsbergNorway
- Department of Geriatric MedicineOslo University HospitalNydalenOsloNorway
| | - Jonathan Mill
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| | - Clive Ballard
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| | - Robert A. Sweet
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Julia Kofler
- Department of PathologyUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Byron Creese
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
- Division of PsychologyDepartment of Life SciencesBrunel University LondonUxbridgeUK
| | - Ehsan Pishva
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
- Department of Psychiatry and NeuropsychologySchool for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs)Faculty of HealthMedicine and Life Sciences (FHML)Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Katie Lunnon
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterDevonUK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Schowe AM, Godara M, Czamara D, Adli M, Singer T, Binder EB. Genetic predisposition for negative affect predicts mental health burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2025; 275:61-73. [PMID: 38587666 PMCID: PMC11799032 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01795-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was accompanied by an increase in mental health challenges including depression, stress, loneliness, and anxiety. Common genetic variants can contribute to the risk for psychiatric disorders and may present a risk factor in times of crises. However, it is unclear to what extent polygenic risk played a role in the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate whether polygenic scores (PGSs) for mental health-related traits can distinguish between four resilience-vulnerability trajectories identified during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns in 2020/21. We used multinomial regression in a genotyped subsample (n = 1316) of the CovSocial project. The most resilient trajectory characterized by the lowest mental health burden and the highest recovery rates served as the reference group. Compared to this most resilient trajectory, a higher value on the PGS for the well-being spectrum decreased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.3%). Conversely, a higher value on the PGS for neuroticism increased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.2%). Latent change in mental health burden extracted from the resilience-vulnerability trajectories was not associated with any PGS. Although our findings support an influence of PGS on mental health during COVID-19, the small added explained variance suggests limited utility of such genetic markers for the identification of vulnerable individuals in the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M Schowe
- Department of Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
- Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
| | - Malvika Godara
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, 10557, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Mazda Adli
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Fliedner Klinik Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tania Singer
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, 10557, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gao Y, Wang D, Wang Q, Wang J, Li S, Wang T, Hu X, Wan C. Causal Impacts of Psychiatric Disorders on Cognition and the Mediating Effect of Oxidative Stress: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Antioxidants (Basel) 2025; 14:162. [PMID: 40002349 PMCID: PMC11852177 DOI: 10.3390/antiox14020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2025] [Accepted: 01/27/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Many psychiatric disorders are associated with major cognitive deficits. However, it is uncertain whether these deficits develop as a result of psychiatric disorders and what shared risk factors might mediate this relationship. Here, we utilized the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the complex causal relationship between nine major psychiatric disorders and three cognitive phenotypes, while also examining the potential mediating role of oxidative stress as a shared biological underpinning. Schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed a decreasing effect on cognitive performance, intelligence, and education, while bipolar disorder (BPD) increased educational attainment. MR-Clust results exhibit the shared genetic basis between SZ and other psychiatric disorders in relation to cognitive function. Furthermore, when oxidative stress was considered as a potential mediating factor, the associations between SZ and the three dimensions of cognition, as well as between MDD and intelligence and ADHD and intelligence, exhibited larger effect sizes than the overall. Mediation MR analysis also supported the causal effects between psychiatric disorders and cognition via oxidative stress traits, including carotene, vitamin E, bilirubin, and uric acid. Finally, summary-based MR identified 29 potential causal associations of oxidative stress genes with both cognitive performance and psychiatric disorders. Our findings highlight the importance of considering oxidative stress in understanding and potentially treating cognitive impairments associated with psychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiaowen Hu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for The Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.G.); (D.W.); (Q.W.); (J.W.); (S.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Chunling Wan
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for The Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.G.); (D.W.); (Q.W.); (J.W.); (S.L.); (T.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Karachaliou M, Espinosa A, Farré X, Blay N, Castaño-Vinyals G, Iraola-Guzmán S, Rubio R, Vidal M, Jiménez A, Bañuls M, Aguilar R, Garcia-Aymerich J, Dobaño C, Kogevinas M, Moncunill G, de Cid R. Mental illness and antibody responses after COVID-19 vaccination in a prospective population-based study in Catalonia. Vaccine 2025; 45:126591. [PMID: 39671776 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126591] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 10/22/2024] [Accepted: 12/03/2024] [Indexed: 12/15/2024]
Abstract
Background Mental illnesses have been overlooked as a potential factor influencing antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccine. Associations between mental disorders and antibody response might vary by specific disorders, depend on the long-term course of the illness and relate to psychotropic treatment. METHODS The association between mental illness diagnoses (mood affective disorders, anxiety disorders, other) over ten years and psychotropic drug prescription based on electronic health records with antibody levels (IgG and IgA) post COVID-19 vaccination was assessed in 939 vaccinated adults from Catalonia, Spain. We employed linear regression models to assess associations between specific mental illnesses and psychotropic drugs with antibody levels, correcting for demographics, comorbidities and lifestyle factors. In a genotyped subset (n = 247) we assessed the effect of polygenic risk scores (PRS) for mental illnesses and performed a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to examine causality between mental illness and antibody responses. RESULTS Mood affective disorders were associated with lower IgG to receptor binding domain (RBD) [percentage change = -26.37 (95 % CI, -42.00, -6.54)]. Diagnosis of anxiety disorders was not associated with the outcome. The group of other diagnoses (mainly including insomnia and nicotine dependence) were associated with lower IgG RBD levels [percentage change: -21.53 (95 % CI, -35.38, -4.71)] and recent onset cases (≤5 years ago) showed greater decline in antibody levels. Participants on second-generation antipsychotics and multiple classes of psychotropic drugs in the last 6 months exhibited lower antibody levels. In the genotyped population, higher genetic liability (higher PRS) to schizophrenia was associated with lower IgG RBD levels [percentage change = -35.49 (95 % CI, -56.55, -4.23)]. MR analysis revealed a causal relationship between major depression genetic instrumental variables and lower IgG RBD and S levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings raise concerns about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and potentially of other vaccines as well, in individuals with mood affective disorders, current/recent insomnia and nicotine dependence and people on multiple psychotropic drugs. Whether these associations are translated into increased risk for breakthrough infections and immune mediated long-term sequels of the SARS-CoV-2 infection warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Espinosa
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Farré
- Genomes for Life-GCAT lab. Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Natalia Blay
- Genomes for Life-GCAT lab. Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Gemma Castaño-Vinyals
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Iraola-Guzmán
- Genomes for Life-GCAT lab. Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Ruth Aguilar
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Garcia-Aymerich
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlota Dobaño
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael de Cid
- Genomes for Life-GCAT lab. Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Du W, Tang B, Liu S, Zhang W, Lui S. Causal associations between iron levels in subcortical brain regions and psychiatric disorders: a Mendelian randomization study. Transl Psychiatry 2025; 15:19. [PMID: 39843424 PMCID: PMC11754438 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-025-03231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 12/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2025] [Indexed: 01/24/2025] Open
Abstract
Despite observational studies linking brain iron levels to psychiatric disorders, the exact causal relationship remains poorly understood. This study aims to examine the relationship between iron levels in specific subcortical brain regions and the risk of psychiatric disorders. Utilizing two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, this study investigates the causal associations between iron level changes in 16 subcortical nuclei and eight major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and insomnia. The genetic instrumental variables linked to iron levels and psychiatric disorders were derived from the genome-wide association studies data of the UK Biobank Brain Imaging and Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Bidirectional causal estimation was primarily obtained using the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method. Iron levels in the left substantia nigra showed a negative association with the risk of MDD (ORIVW = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91-0.97, p < 0.001) and trends with risk of SCZ (ORIVW = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82-0.98, p = 0.020). Conversely, iron levels in the left putamen were positively associated with the risk of ASD (ORIVW = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.04-1.19, p = 0.002). Additionally, several bidirectional trends were observed between subcortical iron levels and the risk for psychiatric disorders. Lower iron levels in the left substantia nigra may increase the risk of MDD, and potentially increase the risk of SCZ, indicating a potential shared pathogenic mechanism. Higher iron levels in the left putamen may lead to the development of ASD. The observed bidirectional trends between subcortical iron levels and psychiatric disorders, indicate the importance of the underlying biomechanical interactions between brain iron regulation and these disorders.
Collapse
Grants
- Nos. 82120108014, and 82071908 National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- Nos. 82471959, and 82101998 National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- No. 2021JDTD0002 Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province (Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology)
- National Key R&D Program of China (Project Nos. 2022YFC2009901, 2022YFC2009900), Chengdu Science and Technology Office, major technology application demonstration project (Project Nos. 2022-YF09-00062-SN, 2022-GH03-00017-HZ), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Project Nos. ZYGX2022YGRH008) and the 1.3.5 project for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Project Nos. ZYGD23003 and ZYAI24010).
- Sichuan Science and Technology Program (No. 2024NSFSC1794), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Project Nos. 2023SCUH0064)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Du
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biqiu Tang
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Senhao Liu
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Su Lui
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wen S, Zeng Y, Xu Y, Xu S, Chen W, Wang G, Zhang W, Song H. Association of childhood maltreatment and adverse lifetime experiences with post-injury psychopathology: evidence from the China Severe Trauma Cohort. BMC Med 2025; 23:29. [PMID: 39838452 PMCID: PMC11753082 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-025-03861-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2025] [Indexed: 01/23/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse life experiences have been associated with increased susceptibilities to psychopathology in later life. However, their impact on psychological responses following physical trauma remains largely unexplored. METHODS Based on the China Severe Trauma Cohort, we conducted a cohort study of 2937 patients who were admitted to the Trauma Medical Center of West China Hospital between June 2020 and August 2023. Adverse life experiences, including childhood maltreatment (5 subtypes, measured by Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form) and adverse lifetime experiences (17 subtypes, by Life Events Checklist) were assessed. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the associations of childhood maltreatment and adverse lifetime experiences with symptoms of psychopathology measured at multiple time-points after the index injury (i.e., at recruitment, 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups), adjusted for important confounders. We further stratified the analyses by level of genetic predisposition to a given psychological symptom quantified by polygenic risk score (PRS) based on publicly available GWAS summary statistics. Mediation analyses were performed to assess the role of adverse lifetime experiences in connecting childhood maltreatment and post-injury psychopathology. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 47.95 years with a predominance of males (61.39%). During the whole follow-up period, the incidence of symptoms of stress-related disorders, anxiety, and depression was 13.86%, 29.89%, and 36.57%, respectively. We observed associations between the cumulative number of those studied adversities and increased risk of post-injury psychopathology, particularly stress-related disorder (odds ratio [OR] = 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.87-4.12 for ≥ 2 vs no childhood maltreatment; 2.65 [1.67-4.20] for ≥ 4 vs 0-1 adverse lifetime experiences). By subtype, positive associations were observed for most studied life adversities, with the most pronounced estimates for childhood emotional abuse (ORs = 1.71-2.52) and lifetime life-threatening illness/injury (ORs = 1.87-2.89). We found basically comparable estimates among traumatized individuals with different PRSs for studied psychopathology. Moreover, adverse lifetime experiences may partially (mediation proportion: 22.52-27.48%) explain the associations between various childhood maltreatment and post-injury psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS Both childhood maltreatment and adverse lifetime experiences were associated with post-injury psychopathology, irrespective of genetic susceptibility. Such findings highlight the importance of close surveillance and timely psychological interventions for injury patients with adverse life experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wen
- Trauma Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics Surgery and Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Zeng
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yueyao Xu
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shishi Xu
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guanglin Wang
- Trauma Medical Center, Department of Orthopedics Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedics Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Huan Song
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Center of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland.
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Song Q, Zhang C, Wang W, Wang C, Yi C. Exploring the genetic landscape of the brain-heart axis: A comprehensive analysis of pleiotropic effects between heart disease and psychiatric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2025; 136:111172. [PMID: 39423935 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 10/02/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic links between heart disease and psychiatric disorders are complex and not well understood. This study uses genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and advanced multilevel analyses to explore these connections. METHODS We analyzed GWAS data from seven psychiatric disorders and five types of heart disease. Genetic correlations and overlaps were examined using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), high-definition likelihood (HDL), and Genetic analysis incorporating Pleiotropy and Annotation (GPA). Pleiotropic single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) were identified with pleiotropic analysis under the composite null hypothesis (PLACO) and annotated via Functional mapping and annotation of genetic associations (FUMA). Potential pleiotropic genes were identified using Multi-marker Analysis of GenoMic Annotation (MAGMA) and Summary data-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR). RESULTS Among 35 trait pairs, 32 showed significant genetic correlations or overlaps. PLACO identified 15,077 SNVs, with 287 recognized as pleiotropic loci and 20 colocalization sites. MAGMA and SMR revealed 75 potential pleiotropic genes involved in diverse pathways, including cancer, neurodevelopment, and cellular organization. Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) queries provided evidence linking multiple genes to heart or psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS This analysis reveals loci and genes with pleiotropic effects between heart disease and psychiatric disorders, highlighting shared biological pathways. These findings illuminate the genetic mechanisms underlying the brain-heart axis and suggest shared biological foundations for these conditions, offering potential targets for future prevention and treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qifeng Song
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225000, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Nanjing Vocational Health College, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225000, China
| | - Cihan Wang
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225000, China
| | - Chenlong Yi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225000, China; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Liu D, Cao M, Wu S, Jiang Y, Cao W, Lin T, Li F, Sha F, Yang Z, Tang J. Modifiable factors for irritable bowel syndrome: evidence from Mendelian randomisation approach. EGASTROENTEROLOGY 2025; 3:e100126. [PMID: 39944930 PMCID: PMC11770431 DOI: 10.1136/egastro-2024-100126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 12/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2025]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background The potential modifiable factors influencing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have not been thoroughly documented. We aimed to systematically investigate the modifiable factors associated with IBS, while accounting for the impact of unobserved confounders and coexisting disorders. Methods Genetic correlation and Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses were integrated to identify potential modifiable factors and coexisting disorders linked to IBS. Subsequently, multiresponse MR (MR2) was employed to further examine these associations. Summary-level genome-wide association data were used. Modifiable factors and coexisting disorders (ie, gastrointestinal and psychiatric disorders) were identified based on evidence from cohort studies and meta-analysis. In all analyses, IBS was the primary outcome, while in the MR2 analysis, coexisting disorders were also treated as outcomes alongside IBS. Results Most identified modifiable factors and coexisting disorders exhibited genetic correlations with IBS. MR analyses revealed strong causation between IBS and multisite chronic pain (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.82 to 2.66), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (OR=1.31, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.39), well-being spectrum (OR=0.17, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.21), life satisfaction (OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.38), positive affect (OR=0.30, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.37), neuroticism score (OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.25) and depression (OR=1.50, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.66). Additionally, smoking, alcohol frequency, college or university degree, intelligence, childhood maltreatment, frailty index, diverticular disease of the intestine and schizophrenia were suggestively associated with IBS. Robust associations were found between multisite chronic pain and both IBS and coexisting disorders. Conclusions Our study identified a comprehensive array of potential modifiable factors and coexisting disorders associated with IBS, supported by genetic evidence, including genetic correlation and multiple MR analyses. The presence of multisite chronic pain may offer a promising avenue for the concurrent prevention of IBS and its coexisting disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Liu
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Meiling Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Digestive Health, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yiwen Jiang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weijie Cao
- Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tengfei Lin
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fuxiao Li
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Big Data, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Feng Sha
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhirong Yang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Big Data, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinling Tang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Big Data, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Lin YL, Yao T, Wang YW, Lu JH, Chen YM, Wu YQ, Qian XG, Liu JC, Fang LX, Zheng C, Wu CH, Lin JF. Causal association between mitochondrial function and psychiatric disorders: Insights from a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study. J Affect Disord 2025; 368:55-66. [PMID: 39265869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous observational studies have suggested that there appears to be a close association between mitochondrial function and psychiatric disorders, but whether a causal role exists remains unclear. METHODS We extracted genetic instruments for 67 mitochondrial-related proteins and 10 psychiatric disorders from publicly available genome-wide association studies, and employed five distinct MR methods and false discovery rate correction to detect causal associations between them. Additionally, we conducted a series of sensitivity tests and additional model analysis to ensure the robustness of the results. For potential causal associations, we further performed reverse MR analyses to assess the impact of reverse causality. RESULTS We identified a total of 2 significant causal associations and 24 suggestive causal associations. Specifically, Phenylalanine-tRNA ligase was found to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, while Mitochondrial glutamate carrier 2 decreased the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, there was no evidence of significant pleiotropy, heterogeneity, or reverse causality. LIMITATIONS This study was limited to individuals of European ancestry, and the conclusions drawn are merely revelatory. CONCLUSION This study provides novel insights into the relationship between mitochondria and psychiatric disorders, as well as the pathogenesis and treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Lu Lin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tao Yao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying-Wei Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia-Hao Lu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan-Min Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu-Qing Wu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin-Ge Qian
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing-Chen Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luo-Xiang Fang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cheng Zheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chun-Hui Wu
- Children's Heart Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China; Department of Ultrasonography, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jia-Feng Lin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Yu Q, Ruan M, Chen Y, Wang C. Advances in neuroscience research and big data's analysis on anxiety disorder. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2025; 16:e1692. [PMID: 39390772 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety disorder is a complex disease with the influence of environmental and genetic factors and multimolecular participation, and it is also one of the most common mental disorders. The causes of disorders are not clear but may include a variety of social, psychological, and biological factors. Therefore, neither genetics, neurobiology, nor neuroimaging can independently explain the pathological mechanism. By searching the Web of Science databases, Derwent Innovation Patent database, ClinicalTrials.gov database, and Cortellis database, we analyze the current situation of papers, patents, clinical trials, and drugs of anxiety disorder. Second, the existing literature was reviewed to summarize the neurophysiological mechanism, brain imaging, gene, anti-anxiety drugs, and other aspects of anxiety disorders. This article reviews the research status of anxiety disorders. The heterogeneity of the disease, lack of treatment effectiveness, and gaps in translational medicine still present barriers to further advancement. Thus, in-depth explorations of the underlying biological mechanisms of anxiety disorders, the detection and intervention of biological targets, and further developments based on existing intervention strategies will drive future research on anxiety disorders. This article is categorized under: Neuroscience > Clinical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianmei Yu
- Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meihua Ruan
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Information Center for Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Su J, Zhang J, Zhu H, Lu J. Association of anxiety disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder with autoimmune thyroiditis: A bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomized study. J Affect Disord 2025; 368:720-726. [PMID: 39313161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder are common psychiatric disorders, and their association with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) has been of great interest. This study aimed to investigate the potential causal relationship between these psychiatric disorders and AIT. METHODS We used publicly available summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies to select, quality control and cluster genetic variant loci associated with anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder and AIT as instrumental variables (IVs). The Mendelian randomization (MR) study mainly used inverse variance weighting (IVW) combined with MR-egger regression and weighted median estimation (WME) to estimate bidirectional causality between mental disorders and AIT. In addition, we conducted heterogeneity and multivariate tests to verify the validity of IVW. RESULTS Two-sample bidirectional MR analysis revealed a positive causal link between depression and AIT. The forward MR analysis of IVW (OR 1.614, 95 % CI 1.104-2.358, P = 0.013) and WME (OR 2.314, 95 % CI 1.315-4.074, P = 0.004) demonstrated thatdepression potentially elevate the risk of AIT development, while, our investigation did not uncover a causal relationship between anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and AIT. The results of reverse MR analysis showed that there was no significant causal relationship between AIT and anxiety disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of the forward MR analysis suggest a positive association between depression, and AIT risk, while indicating no support for a causal link between anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder and AIT risk based on the current data. Subsequent studies will be essential for elucidating the biological mechanisms and potential confounders underlying these associations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyang Su
- Department of General internal medicine, Tongde Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Jialin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), 310007 Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanyu Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), 310007 Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Department of Oncology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), 310007 Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Guo X, Feng Y, Ji X, Jia N, Maimaiti A, Lai J, Wang Z, Yang S, Hu S. Shared genetic architecture and bidirectional clinical risks within the psycho-metabolic nexus. EBioMedicine 2025; 111:105530. [PMID: 39731856 PMCID: PMC11743124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2024] [Revised: 12/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/12/2024] [Indexed: 12/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests a complex interplay between psychiatric disorders and metabolic dysregulations. However, most research has been limited to specific disorder pairs, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of the broader psycho-metabolic nexus. METHODS This study leveraged large-scale cohort data and genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, covering 8 common psychiatric disorders and 43 metabolic traits. We introduced a comprehensive analytical strategy to identify shared genetic bases sequentially, from key genetic correlation regions to local pleiotropy and pleiotropic genes. Finally, we developed polygenic risk score (PRS) models to translate these findings into clinical applications. FINDINGS We identified significant bidirectional clinical risks between psychiatric disorders and metabolic dysregulations among 310,848 participants from the UK Biobank. Genetic correlation analysis confirmed 104 robust trait pairs, revealing 1088 key genomic regions, including critical hotspots such as chr3: 47588462-50387742. Cross-trait meta-analysis uncovered 388 pleiotropic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 126 shared causal variants. Among variants, 45 novel SNVs were associated with psychiatric disorders and 75 novel SNVs were associated with metabolic traits, shedding light on new targets to unravel the mechanism of comorbidity. Notably, RBM6, a gene involved in alternative splicing and cellular stress response regulation, emerged as a key pleiotropic gene. When psychiatric and metabolic genetic information were integrated, PRS models demonstrated enhanced predictive power. INTERPRETATION The study highlights the intertwined genetic and clinical relationships between psychiatric disorders and metabolic dysregulations, emphasising the need for integrated approaches in diagnosis and treatment. FUNDING The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFC2506200, SHH). The National Natural Science Foundation of China (82273741, SY).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne, Carlton South, VIC, Australia
| | - Xiaolong Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ningning Jia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Aierpati Maimaiti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated First Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jianbo Lai
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Sheng Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shaohua Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Precision Psychiatry, Hangzhou, 310003, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, China; Brain Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Fan H, Li J, Dou Y, Yan Y, Wang M, Yang X, Ma X. Linking ambient air pollution to mental health: evidence based on the two-sample Mendelian randomization and colocalization study. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:489. [PMID: 39695075 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03196-0] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 11/29/2024] [Accepted: 12/06/2024] [Indexed: 12/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence links air pollution, a ubiquitous environmental stressor, to a higher risk of developing mental disorders, raising significant public health concerns. Mental disorders represent a significant global public health challenge which can have a profound impact on individual lives. In this study, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between ambient air pollution and four common mental disorders. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for ambient air pollution and summary-level GWAS data for four representative mental disorders were obtained from open-access database. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method with multiplicative random-effects model was the main analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the results. Bayesian colocalization analysis was conducted to explore the potential shared genetic causal variants between specific air pollutants and mental disorders. A suggestive association was observed between political matter (PM) 2.5 and anxiety disorders (OR 2.96, 95%CI 1.29-6.81, p = 0.010). Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was significantly linked to an elevated risk of schizophrenia (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.45-2.63, p = 1.13E-05) and showed a nominal association with an increased risk of bipolar disorder (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.09-1.86, p = 0.009). A suggestive causal association was detected between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and anxiety disorder (OR 2.90, 95%CI 1.21-6.97, p = 0.017). No significant association was detected between exposure to PM2.5-10, PM10 and mental disorders. No significant horizonal pleiotropy and heterogeneity was found. The colocalization analysis revealed robust evidence supporting the colocalization of NO2 with schizophrenia at SNP rs12203592. Our findings support causal associations between exposure to ambient air pollution, particularly PM2.5, NO2, and NOx, and an increased risk of specific mental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Fan
- Mental health center and laboratory of psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junhong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan province, China
| | - Yikai Dou
- Mental health center and laboratory of psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yushun Yan
- Mental health center and laboratory of psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Wang
- Mental health center and laboratory of psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Mental health center and laboratory of psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- Mental health center and laboratory of psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Zhao L, Tan L, Liu W, Zhang S, Liao A, Yuan L, He Y, Chen X, Li Z. The Causal Relationships Between Inflammatory Proteins, Brain Structure, and Psychiatric Disorders: A Two-Step Mendelian Randomization Analysis. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae208. [PMID: 39657824 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Inflammatory proteins are implicated in psychiatric disorders, but the causality and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. STUDY DESIGN We conducted bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) using genetic variants from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 91 inflammatory proteins (N = 14 824) and 11 psychiatric disorders (N = 9725 to 1 035 760). The primary analysis used the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, with additional sensitivity analyses to confirm robustness. A two-step MR approach assessed whether brain imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) mediated the observed effects. STUDY RESULTS Forward MR analysis found the protective effect of CD40 on schizophrenia (SCZ) (IVW OR = 0.90, P = 5.29 × 10-6) and bipolar disorder (BD) (IVW OR = 0.89, P = 5.08 × 10-6). Reverse MR demonstrated that increased genetic risk of Tourette's syndrome (TS) was associated with reduced Fms-associated tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) levels (Flt3L) (Wald Ratio beta = -0.42, P = 1.99 × 10-7). The protective effect of CD40 on SCZ was partially mediated by the modulation of fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the right and left superior frontal occipital fasciculus, with mediation proportions of 9.6% (P = .025) and 11.5% (P = .023), respectively. CONCLUSION CD40 exerts an immunoprotective effect on SCZ and BD, and the effect of CD40 on SCZ was partially mediated through modulation of FA values in the superior frontal occipital fasciculus. These findings enhance comprehension of the etiology of these psychiatric conditions and underscore the promise of therapeutic strategies aimed at inflammatory proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Liwen Tan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Weiqing Liu
- Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200122, China
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science (CBS), RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Sijie Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Aijun Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Liu Yuan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Ying He
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Xiaogang Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Zongchang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Jiang W, Zhang J, Wang M, Zou Y, Liu Q, Song Y, Sun G, Gong Y, Zhang F, Jiang B. The X-linked intellectual disability gene CUL4B is critical for memory and synaptic function. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:188. [PMID: 39633474 PMCID: PMC11619648 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01903-y] [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: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 11/25/2024] [Indexed: 12/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cullin 4B (CUL4B) is the scaffold protein in the CUL4B-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL4B) complex. Loss-of-function mutations in the human CUL4B gene lead to syndromic X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). Till now, the mechanism of intellectual disability caused by CUL4B mutation still needs to be elucidated. In this study, we used single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to investigate the impact of CUL4B deficiency on the transcriptional programs of diverse cell types. The results revealed that depletion of CUL4B resulted in impaired intercellular communication and elicited cell type-specific transcriptional changes relevant to synapse dysfunction. Golgi-Cox staining of brain slices and immunostaining of in vitro cultured neurons revealed remarkable synapse loss in CUL4B-deficient mice. Ultrastructural analysis via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the width of the synaptic cleft was significantly greater in CUL4B-deficient mice. Electrophysiological experiments found a decrease in the amplitude of AMPA receptor-mediated EPSCs in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons of CUL4B-deficient mice. These results indicate that depletion of CUL4B in mice results in morphological and functional abnormalities in synapses. Furthermore, behavioral tests revealed that depletion of CUL4B in the mouse nervous system results in impaired spatial learning and memory. Taken together, the findings of this study reveal the pathogenesis of neurological disorders associated with CUL4B mutations and promote the identification of therapeutic targets that can halt synaptic abnormalities and preserve memory in individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Molin Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yongxin Zou
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qiao Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Song
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Gongping Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yaoqin Gong
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Medical Morphology Teaching Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Baichun Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Tesfaye M, Jaholkowski P, Shadrin AA, van der Meer D, Hindley GF, Holen B, Parker N, Parekh P, Birkenæs V, Rahman Z, Bahrami S, Kutrolli G, Frei O, Djurovic S, Dale AM, Smeland OB, O'Connell KS, Andreassen OA. Identification of novel genomic loci for anxiety symptoms and extensive genetic overlap with psychiatric disorders. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 78:783-791. [PMID: 39301620 PMCID: PMC11612548 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Anxiety disorders are prevalent and anxiety symptoms (ANX) co-occur with many psychiatric disorders. We aimed to identify genomic loci associated with ANX, characterize its genetic architecture, and genetic overlap with psychiatric disorders. METHODS We included a genome-wide association study of ANX (meta-analysis of UK Biobank and Million Veterans Program, n = 301,732), schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BIP), major depression (MD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and validated the findings in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort (n = 95,841). We employed the bivariate causal mixture model and local analysis of covariant association to characterize the genetic architecture including overlap between the phenotypes. Conditional and conjunctional false discovery rate analyses were performed to boost the identification of loci associated with anxiety and shared with psychiatric disorders. RESULTS Anxiety was polygenic with 12.9k genetic variants and overlapped extensively with psychiatric disorders (4.1k-11.4k variants) with predominantly positive genetic correlations between anxiety and psychiatric disorders. We identified 119 novel loci for anxiety by conditioning on the psychiatric disorders, and loci shared between anxiety and MDn = 47 , BIPn = 33 , SCZn = 71 , ADHDn = 20 , and ASDn = 5 . Genes annotated to anxiety loci exhibit enrichment for a broader range of biological pathways including cell adhesion and neurofibrillary tangle compared with genes annotated to the shared loci. CONCLUSIONS Anxiety is highly polygenic phenotype with extensive genetic overlap with psychiatric disorders, and we identified novel loci for anxiety implicating new molecular pathways. The shared genetic architecture may underlie the extensive cross-disorder comorbidity of anxiety, and the identified molecular underpinnings may lead to potential drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markos Tesfaye
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Clinical ScienceUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | - Piotr Jaholkowski
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Alexey A. Shadrin
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Guy F.L. Hindley
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Børge Holen
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Nadine Parker
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Pravesh Parekh
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Viktoria Birkenæs
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Zillur Rahman
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Shahram Bahrami
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Gleda Kutrolli
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Oleksandr Frei
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
- Center for Bioinformatics, Department of InformaticsUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- Department of Clinical ScienceUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of Medical GeneticsOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Anders M. Dale
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Multimodal Imaging LaboratoryUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Olav B. Smeland
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Kevin S. O'Connell
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOsloNorway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of Oslo and Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Mi Y, Chen K, Lin S, Tong L, Zhou J, Wan M. Lactobacillaceae-mediated eye-brain-gut axis regulates high myopia-related anxiety: from the perspective of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine. EPMA J 2024; 15:573-585. [PMID: 39635020 PMCID: PMC11612067 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-024-00387-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2024] [Accepted: 11/09/2024] [Indexed: 12/07/2024]
Abstract
Background High myopia has become a major cause of blindness worldwide and can contribute to emotional deficits through its impact on the central nervous system. The potential crosstalk with gut microbiome positions high myopia as a valuable model for studying the eye-brain-gut axis, highlighting the intricate interplay between visual health, neurological function, and the gut microbiome. Understanding these connections is crucial from a predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM) perspective, as it may reveal novel intervention targets for managing both visual and mental health. Working hypothesis and methodology In our study, we hypothesized that visual stimuli associated with high myopia may lead to gut microecological dysregulation, potentially triggering mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. To test this hypothesis, we assessed genetic associations between high myopia (N = 50,372) and depression (N = 674,452) as well as anxiety (N = 21,761) using inverse variance weighted as the primary analytical method. We also investigated the potential mediating role of the gut microbiome (N = 18,340). The findings were validated in an independent cohort and summarized through meta-analysis. Results A genetic causal relationship between high myopia and anxiety was found (odds ratio [OR] = 8.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.69-28.54; p = 3.16 × 10-4), with 20.3% of the effect mediated by the gut microbiome family Lactobacillaceae (β = 0.517; 95% CI, 0.104-1.090; p = 0.037). The analysis also showed a suggestive causal relationship between high myopia and depression (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00-1.57; p = 0.048). Conclusions Our study shows that high myopia causes anxiety via the Lactobacillaceae family of the gut microbiome, supporting the eye-brain-gut axis concept. This underscores the need to shift from reactive to predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM). Targeting Lactobacillaceae offers novel insights for early intervention and personalized treatment of high myopia-related anxiety and sheds light on interventions for other vision-related brain disorders. Graphical abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00387-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuze Mi
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ke Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shaokai Lin
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Luyao Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Minghui Wan
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Xi Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027 China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Schuurmans IK, Dunn EC, Lussier AA. DNA methylation as a possible mechanism linking childhood adversity and health: results from a 2-sample mendelian randomization study. Am J Epidemiol 2024; 193:1541-1552. [PMID: 38754872 PMCID: PMC11538561 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae072] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Childhood adversity is an important risk factor for adverse health across the life course. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), are a hypothesized mechanism linking adversity to disease susceptibility. Yet, few studies have determined whether adversity-related DNAm alterations are causally related to future health outcomes or if their developmental timing plays a role in these relationships. Here, we used 2-sample mendelian randomization to obtain stronger causal inferences about the association between adversity-associated DNAm loci across development (ie, birth, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood) and 24 mental, physical, and behavioral health outcomes. We identified particularly strong associations between adversity-associated DNAm and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, suicide attempts, asthma, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease. More of these associations were identified for birth and childhood DNAm, whereas adolescent and young adulthood DNAm were more closely linked to mental health. Childhood DNAm loci also had primarily risk-suppressing relationships with health outcomes, suggesting that DNAm might reflect compensatory or buffering mechanisms against childhood adversity rather than acting solely as an indicator of disease risk. Together, our results suggest adversity-related DNAm alterations are linked to both physical and mental health outcomes, with particularly strong impacts of DNAm differences emerging earlier in development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel K Schuurmans
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erin C Dunn
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States
| | - Alexandre A Lussier
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Slaney C, Mac Giollabhui N, van der Most PJ, Palacios ER, Snieder H, Nivard M, Hemani G, Hartman CA, Khandaker GM. Positive and negative affect, related mental health traits, and cognitive performance: shared genetic architecture and potential causality. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.11.01.24316562. [PMID: 39574860 PMCID: PMC11581074 DOI: 10.1101/2024.11.01.24316562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2024]
Abstract
Altered affect and cognitive dysfunction are transdiagnostic, burdensome, and pervasive features of many psychiatric conditions which remain poorly understood and have few efficacious treatments. Research on the genetic architecture of these phenotypes and causal relationships between them may provide insight into their aetiology and comorbidity. Using data from the Lifelines Cohort Study, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on positive and negative affect and four cognitive domains (working memory, reaction time, visual learning and memory, executive function). Using publicly available large GWAS on related - albeit distinct-phenotypes (depression, anxiety, wellbeing, general cognitive ability [GCA]) we conducted genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine genetic overlap and causal relationships. We identified one genome-wide hit (p<5×10-8) for reaction time, and many loci with suggestive associations (p<5×10-6; N range= 11-20 independent hits) for other phenotypes. For most phenotypes, gene mapping and tissue expression analysis of suggestive hits from the GWAS showed increased gene expression in brain tissue compared to other tissues. As predicted, negative affect is genetically correlated with mental health phenotypes (depression r g=0.51; anxiety r g=0.70; wellbeing r g = -0.71) and cognitive domains are genetically correlated with GCA and brain volume (r g ≤ 0.66). Genetic correlations between negative and positive affect suggest that they are dissociable constructs (r g = -0.18) with negative affect having higher genetic overlap with GCA than positive affect (r g =-0.19 vs -0.06). This could indicate that negative affect has a higher shared neural basis with GCA than positive affect and/or GCA and negative affect may exhibit causal relationships. MR analyses suggest potential causal effects of higher GCA on reduced negative affect, reduced risk of depression and anxiety, and higher wellbeing, but little impact on positive affect. We also report evidence for potential causal effects of depression and lower wellbeing on reduced GCA. Taken together, these results suggests that GCA may be a valid target for negative affect (but not positive affect) and depression and wellbeing may be valid targets for GCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Slaney
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Naoise Mac Giollabhui
- Depression Clinical & Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
| | - Peter J. van der Most
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ensor R. Palacios
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Michel Nivard
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Gibran Hemani
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Catharina A. Hartman
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Golam M. Khandaker
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, UK
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Wang F, Ma X, Zhao L, Li T, Fu Y, Zhu W. The Influence of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Anxiety among Chinese Adolescents: A Twin Study. J Genet Psychol 2024; 185:415-426. [PMID: 38456243 DOI: 10.1080/00221325.2024.2319235] [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: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
This study explored the influence of genetic and environmental factors on adolescent anxiety. Ninety-eight monozygotic and dizygotic twins from Chongqing, China (aged 15-18 years) were assessed for anxiety with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were applied to assess environmental factors. Venous blood was drawn from the twins for zygosity determination. Structural equation modeling was performed to evaluate the effects of additive genetic factors (A), common environmental factors (C), and individual-specific environmental factors (E) on adolescent anxiety. The estimates of A and E on adolescent anxiety were 0.34 (95% CI = 0.12-0.53) and 0.66 (95% CI:0.47-0.89), respectively. The environment played an important role in adolescent anxiety. Adolescent anxiety was significantly positively correlated with peer relations (r = 0.606, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with prosocial behavior (r = 0.207, p < 0. 05). No sex differences were observed. Adolescent anxiety was influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The individual-specific environmental factors played an important role. Consideration of these variables will facilitate the targeted and individualized implementation of specific interventions for adolescent anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangyi Wang
- School of Nursing, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingshun Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, China
| | - Liansheng Zhao
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Li
- Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hang Zhou, China
| | - Yixiao Fu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenfen Zhu
- School of Nursing, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Medical Data Research, Institute of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Gerlikhman L, Sarkar DK. Exploring the intersection of polygenic risk scores and prenatal alcohol exposure: Unraveling the mental health equation. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:2035-2044. [PMID: 39343719 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure poses significant risks to offspring mental health. However, the interplay between genetic predispositions to mental health disorders and prenatal alcohol exposure remains incompletely understood, limiting our ability to develop effective interventions for these conditions. METHODS Data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study were analyzed to explore associations between polygenic risk scores (PRS) for mental disorders and maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling were utilized to assess these relationships. RESULTS Maternal alcohol consumption after pregnancy awareness was significantly associated with an increased genetic risk for specific mental health disorders, particularly bipolar disorder in offspring. The relationship between maternal alcohol consumption and mental health outcomes was influenced by polygenic risk scores, with both externalizing and internalizing problems being affected. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the specific interaction between increased genetic risk for bipolar disorder and prenatal alcohol exposure in shaping offspring mental health outcomes. The significant associations we observed underscore the importance of considering both polygenic risk scores and prenatal alcohol exposure when assessing mental health risks in children. These insights emphasize the need for targeted interventions that address both genetic predispositions and environmental exposures to better understand and mitigate the impact on offspring mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lazer Gerlikhman
- Rutgers Endocrinology Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Molecular Neuroscience of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Training Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Dipak K Sarkar
- Rutgers Endocrinology Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Molecular Neuroscience of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Training Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Liu T, Wang Z, Kang X, Wang X, Ren G, Lv Y, Li J, Liu Y, Liang S, Nie Y, Luo H, Pan Y. Causal relationships between psychological disorders and functional gastrointestinal disorders: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 36:1267-1274. [PMID: 38973539 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Observational studies have shown bidirectional associations between psychological disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety) and functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, whether the relationships are causal is uncertain. Here, we used a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization method to investigate the association between psychological disorders and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). METHODS We obtained genome-wide association study summary statistics for two common psychological disorders: depression (170 756 cases) and anxiety (31 977 cases), as well as for three common FGIDs: functional dyspepsia with 6666 cases, constipation with 26 919 cases, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with 7053 cases. These summary statistics were retrieved from several publicly available genome-wide association study databases. The inverse variance weighted method was used as the main Mendelian randomization method. RESULTS Inverse variance weighted Mendelian randomization analyses showed statistically significant associations between genetically predicted depression and risk of functional dyspepsia [odds ratio (OR): 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.82], constipation (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.44), and IBS (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.37-1.67). Genetically predicted anxiety was associated with a higher risk of IBS (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.10-1.17) instead of functional dyspepsia and constipation. In addition, genetically predicted IBS instead of functional dyspepsia and constipation was associated with a higher risk of depression (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.12-1.57) and anxiety (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.05-4.03). CONCLUSION Depression is a causal risk factor for three common FGIDs. A bidirectional causal relationship between IBS and anxiety or depression was also identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tangyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|