Genetic architecture of brain morphology and overlap with neuropsychiatric traits

• Published in: Trends in genetics 2024-08, Vol.40 (8), p.706-717
• Main Authors: Ge, Yi-Jun, Fu, Yan, Gong, Weikang, Cheng, Wei, Yu, Jin-Tai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: brain morphology; genetic overlap; genetics; magnetic resonance imaging; neuroimaging
• ISSN: 0168-9525
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.04.005

Numerous loci have been identified to be associated with brain morphology.Several genomic regions are associated with multiple neuroimaging traits, potentially playing a critical role during brain development and diseases.Genetic evidence suggests correlative, causal, and pleiotropic relationships between brain morphology and neuropsychiatric diseases.Neuropsychiatric disorders exhibit similar global neuroimaging patterns alongside diverse regional patterns.Exploring the genetics underlying brain morphology holds promise for diagnosing, predicting, and treating neuropsychiatric disorders. Uncovering the genetic architectures of brain morphology offers valuable insights into brain development and disease. Genetic association studies of brain morphological phenotypes have discovered thousands of loci. However, interpretation of these loci presents a significant challenge. One potential solution is exploring the genetic overlap between brain morphology and disorders, which can improve our understanding of their complex relationships, ultimately aiding in clinical applications. In this review, we examine current evidence on the genetic associations between brain morphology and neuropsychiatric traits. We discuss the impact of these associations on the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases, along with suggestions for future research directions. Uncovering the genetic architectures of brain morphology offers valuable insights into brain development and disease. Genetic association studies of brain morphological phenotypes have discovered thousands of loci. However, interpretation of these loci presents a significant challenge. One potential solution is exploring the genetic overlap between brain morphology and disorders, which can improve our understanding of their complex relationships, ultimately aiding in clinical applications. In this review, we examine current evidence on the genetic associations between brain morphology and neuropsychiatric traits. We discuss the impact of these associations on the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases, along with suggestions for future research directions.