Large-Scale Cognitive GWAS Meta-Analysis Reveals Tissue-Specific Neural Expression and Potential Nootropic Drug Targets.
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Here, we present a large (n = 107,207) genome-wide association study (GWAS) of general cognitive ability ("g"), further enhanced by combining results with a large-scale GWAS of educational attainment. We identified 70 independent genomic loci associated with general cognitive ability. Results showed significant enrichment for genes causing Mendelian disorders with an intellectual disability phenotype. Competitive pathway analysis implicated the biological processes of neurogenesis and synaptic regulation, as well as the gene targets of two pharmacologic agents: cinnarizine, a T-type calcium channel blocker, and LY97241, a potassium channel inhibitor. Transcriptome-wide and epigenome-wide analysis revealed that the implicated loci were enriched for genes expressed across all brain regions (most strongly in the cerebellum). Enrichment was exclusive to genes expressed in neurons but not oligodendrocytes or astrocytes. Finally, we report genetic correlations between cognitive ability and disparate phenotypes including psychiatric disorders, several autoimmune disorders, longevity, and maternal age at first birth.
Date Issued
2017-11-28
Date Acceptance
2017-11-03
Citation
Cell Reports, 2017, 21 (9), pp.2597-2613
ISSN
2211-1247
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
2597
End Page
2613
Journal / Book Title
Cell Reports
Volume
21
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Identifier
PII: S2211-1247(17)31648-0
Subjects
GWAS
calcium channel
cerebellum
gene expression
general cognitive ability
neurodevelopment
nootropics
potassium channel
synapse
Publication Status
Published