Brisbane researchers have revealed genetic links to brain conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, in the world’s largest study of brain volume.
QIMR Berghofer scientists have discovered hundreds of genetic variants involved in brain size which were also found in people with a range of brain conditions, including Parkinson’s and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Study lead Associate Professor Miguel Renteria said the research was the world’s largest investigation into how genetic differences influenced structures of the “deep” brain and provided an insight into the relationship between genetic makeup and brain health.
Associate Professor Renteria said the findings showed some of the same genetic variants that influenced brain structure also influenced the risk of brain-related conditions.
“There is strong evidence that ADHD and Parkinson’s has a biological basis and this research is a necessary step to understanding and eventually treating these conditions more effectively,” he said.
The research involved an international team of 189 researchers analysing DNA data and brain MRI scans from 76,000 participants across 19 countries.
Associate Professor Renteria said the team observed 254 genetic variants which could influence the size of people’s brain structure and then studied whether some of these variants were also implicated in the risk of developmental, psychiatric and neurological disorders.
“Genetic variants associated with larger brain volumes in key brain regions also increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, while variants linked to smaller brain volumes in key regions are associated with an increased risk of ADHD. It’s worth noting that these are correlations, not causal relationships, and so interpretation must be approached with caution,” he said.
“These findings suggest that genetic influences that underpin individual differences in brain structure may be fundamental to understanding the underlying causes of brain-related disorders.”
Read the full study: Genomic analysis of intracranial and subcortical brain volumes yields polygenic scores accounting for variation across ancestries.
