Influence of age, sex and genetic factors on the human brain

Authors

D Reese McKay
Anderson M. Winkler, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Rene L. Olvera
Joanne E. Curran, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Harald H. H. Goring, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Thomas D. Dyer, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Ravi Duggirala, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Laura Almasy
John Blangero, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
David C. Glahn

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2014

Abstract

We report effects of age, age(2), sex and additive genetic factors on variability in gray matter thickness, surface area and white matter integrity in 1,010 subjects from the Genetics of Brain Structure and Function Study. Age was more strongly associated with gray matter thickness and fractional anisotropy of water diffusion in white matter tracts, while sex was more strongly associated with gray matter surface area. Widespread heritability of neuroanatomic traits was observed, suggesting that brain structure is under strong genetic control. Furthermore, our findings indicate that neuroimaging-based measurements of cerebral variability are sensitive to genetic mediation. Fundamental studies of genetic influence on the brain will help inform gene discovery initiatives in both clinical and normative samples.

Comments

PMC Copyright notice

Recommended Citation

McKay, D. R., Knowles, E. E., Winkler, A. A., Sprooten, E., Kochunov, P., Olvera, R. L., Curran, J. E., Kent, J. W., Jr, Carless, M. A., Göring, H. H., Dyer, T. D., Duggirala, R., Almasy, L., Fox, P. T., Blangero, J., & Glahn, D. C. (2014). Influence of age, sex and genetic factors on the human brain. Brain imaging and behavior, 8(2), 143–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-013-9277-5

First Page

143

Last Page

52

Publication Title

Brain imaging and behavior

DOI

10.1007/s11682-013-9277-5

Academic Level

faculty

Mentor/PI Department

Office of Human Genetics