Author:
Vogelezang Suzanne,Bradfield Jonathan P.,Vogelezang Suzanne,Bradfield Jonathan P.,Johansson Stefan,Stergiakouli Evie,Thiering Elisabeth,Pennell Craig E.,Ahluwalia Tarunveer S.,Karhunen Ville,Scholz Markus,Liu Xueping,Iñiguez Carmen,Raitakari Olli T.,Bacelis Jonas,Schnurr Theresia M.,Lakka Timo A.,Ntalla Ioanna,Lind Mads V.,Lauritzen Lotte,Herrala Sauli,Lin Frederick T. J.,Frithioff-Bøjsøe Christine,Beaumont Robin N.,Zafarmand Mohammed H.,Rzehak Peter,Bilbao Jose R.,Junna Nella,Vonk Judith M.,Rifas-Shiman Sheryl L.,Janjanam Vimala D.,Knol Maria J.,Ramdas Shweta,Beilin Lawrie,Bønnelykke Klaus,Casas Maribel,Eriksson Johan G.,Escribano Joaquin,Evans Tavia E.,Gehring Ulrike,Geller Frank,Grote Veit,Gruszfeld Darek,Hakonarson Hakon,Hattersley Andrew T.,Have Christian T.,Geoffrey Hayes M.,Heinrich Joachim,Helgeland Øvind,Holloway Jhon,Joro Raimo,Juodakis Julius,Knight Bridget A.,Koletzko Bert,Körner Antje,Langhendries Jean-Paul,Leinonen Jaakko T.,Lindi Virpi,Lund Morten A. V.,Lye Stephen,Melbye Mads,Michaelsen Kim F.,Morgen Camilla S.,Niinikoski Harri,Pahkala Katja,Panoutsopoulou Kalliope,Pedersen Oluf,Rivadeneira Fernando,Santa-Marina Loreto,Schaik Barbera D. C.,Scholtens Denise,Sebert Sylvain,Tamayo Ibon,Timpson Nicholas J.,Torrent Maties,Uitterlinden André G.,Vaudel Marc,Verduci Elvira,Vinding Rebecca,Vogel Mandy,Zeggini Eleftheria,Brown Christopher,Adams Hieab H. H.,Karmaus Wilfried,Hivert Marie-France,Koppelman Gerard H.,Widén Elisabeth,Fernandez-Jimenez Nora,Waldenberger Melanie,Vrijkotte Tanja G. M.,Freathy Rachel M.,Holm Jens-Christian,Lowe William L.,Grarup Niels,Hansen Torben,Dedoussis George V.,Atalay Mustafa,Nohr Ellen A.,Jacobsson Bo,Pitkänen Niina,Vrijheid Martine,Feenstra Bjarke,Kiess Wieland,Jarvelin Marjo-Riita,Bisgaard Hans,Wang C Carol,Standl Marie,McCarthy Mark I.,Pourcain Beate St,Njølstad Pål R.,Grant Struan F. A.,Felix Janine F.,Jaddoe Vincent W. V.,
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Head circumference is associated with intelligence and tracks from childhood into adulthood.
Methods
We performed a genome-wide association study meta-analysis and follow-up of head circumference in a total of 29,192 participants between 6 and 30 months of age.
Results
Seven loci reached genome-wide significance in the combined discovery and replication analysis of which three loci near ARFGEF2, MYCL1, and TOP1, were novel. We observed positive genetic correlations for early-life head circumference with adult intracranial volume, years of schooling, childhood and adult intelligence, but not with adult psychiatric, neurological, or personality-related phenotypes.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that the biological processes underlying early-life head circumference overlap largely with those of adult head circumference. The associations of early-life head circumference with cognitive outcomes across the life course are partly explained by genetics.
Funder
Institute Development Award from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Research Development Award from the Cotswold Foundation
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Endowed Chair in Genomic Research
NIH
The Daniel B. Burke Endowed Chair for Diabetes Research
Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development
European Research Council
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Genetics (clinical),Genetics