Author:
Wesseldijk Laura W.,Abdellaoui Abdel,Gordon Reyna L.,Aslibekyan Stella,Auton Adam,Babalola Elizabeth,Bell Robert K.,Bielenberg Jessica,Bryc Katarzyna,Bullis Emily,Coker Daniella,Partida Gabriel Cuellar,Dhamija Devika,Das Sayantan,Elson Sarah L.,Filshtein Teresa,Fletez-Brant Kipper,Fontanillas Pierre,Freyman Will,Faaborg Anna,Fuller Shirin T.,Gandhi Pooja M.,Heilbron Karl,Hicks Barry,Jewett Ethan M.,Kukar Katelyn,Lin Keng-Han,Lowe Maya,McCreight Jey C.,McIntyre Matthew H.,Micheletti Steven J.,Moreno Meghan E.,Mountain Joanna L.,Nandakumar Priyanka,Noblin Elizabeth S.,O’Connell Jared,Huang Yunru,Petrakovitz Aaron A.,Lane Vanessa,Petrakovitz Aaron,Kim Joanne S.,Poznik G. David,Schumacher Morgan,Shastri Anjali J.,Shelton Janie F.,Shi Jingchunzi,Shringarpure Suyash,Tran Vinh,Tung Joyce Y.,Wang Xin,Wang Wei,Weldon Catherine H.,Wilton Peter,Hernandez Alejandro,Wong Corinna,Tchakouté Christophe Toukam,Ullén Fredrik,Mosing Miriam A.,
Abstract
AbstractTo further our understanding of the genetics of musicality, we explored associations between a polygenic score for self-reported beat synchronization ability (PGSrhythm) and objectively measured rhythm discrimination, as well as other validated music skills and music-related traits. Using family data, we were able to further explore potential pathways of direct genetic, indirect genetic (through passive gene–environment correlation) and confounding effects (such as population structure and assortative mating). In 5648 Swedish twins, we found PGSrhythm to predict not only rhythm discrimination, but also melody and pitch discrimination (betas between 0.11 and 0.16, p < 0.001), as well as other music-related outcomes (p < 0.05). In contrast, PGSrhythm was not associated with control phenotypes not directly related to music. Associations did not deteriorate within families (N = 243), implying that indirect genetic or confounding effects did not inflate PGSrhythm effects. A correlation (r = 0.05, p < 0.001) between musical enrichment of the family childhood environment and individuals' PGSrhythm, suggests gene–environment correlation. We conclude that the PGSrhythm captures individuals' general genetic musical propensity, affecting musical behavior more likely direct than through indirect or confounding effects.
Funder
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health
The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation
The Sven and Dagmar Salén Foundation and the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation
Karolinska Institute
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC