The common genetic influence over processing speed and white matter microstructure: Evidence from the Old Order Amish and Human Connectome Projects

Authors

Peter Kochunov
Paul M. Thompson
Anderson M. Winkler, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Mary Morrissey
Mao Fu
Thomas R. Coyle
Xiaoming Du
Florian Muellerklein
Anya Savransky
Christopher Gaudiot

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-15-2016

Abstract

Speed with which brain performs information processing influences overall cognition and is dependent on the white matter fibers. To understand genetic influences on processing speed and white matter FA, we assessed processing speed and diffusion imaging fractional anisotropy (FA) in related individuals from two populations. Discovery analyses were performed in 146 individuals from large Old Order Amish (OOA) families and findings were replicated in 485 twins and siblings of the Human Connectome Project (HCP). The heritability of processing speed was h(2)=43% and 49% (both p<0.005), while the heritability of whole brain FA was h(2)=87% and 88% (both p<0.001), in the OOA and HCP, respectively. Whole brain FA was significantly correlated with processing speed in the two cohorts. Quantitative genetic analysis demonstrated a significant degree to which common genes influenced joint variation in FA and brain processing speed. These estimates suggested common sets of genes influencing variation in both phenotypes, consistent with the idea that common genetic variations contributing to white matter may also support their associated cognitive behavior.

Comments

Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.10.050

Recommended Citation

Kochunov, P., Thompson, P. M., Winkler, A., Morrissey, M., Fu, M., Coyle, T. R., Du, X., Muellerklein, F., Savransky, A., Gaudiot, C., Sampath, H., Eskandar, G., Jahanshad, N., Patel, B., Rowland, L., Nichols, T. E., O'Connell, J. R., Shuldiner, A. R., Mitchell, B. D., & Hong, L. E. (2016). The common genetic influence over processing speed and white matter microstructure: Evidence from the Old Order Amish and Human Connectome Projects. NeuroImage, 125, 189–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.10.050

First Page

189

Last Page

197

Publication Title

NeuroImage

DOI

10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.10.050

Academic Level

faculty

Mentor/PI Department

Office of Human Genetics