Genetic Links Found to Size of Brain Structures: Study

Advertisement
By Indo Asian News Service | Updated: 24 January 2015 16:58 IST
Genetic Links Found to Size of Brain Structures: Study

In a significant finding, an international team of scientists has discovered five genetic variants that influence the size of structures within the human brain.

Nearly 300 researchers analysed genetic data and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 30,717 individuals from around the world.

They evaluated genetic data from seven subcortical brain regions and intracranial volume from MRI scans.

This is the largest analysis of brain structure and genetics ever done.

Advertisement

"Through a large-scale, international data sharing and data-analysis-sharing effort, we were able to actually successfully identify genetic effects on the hippocampus, putamen and other brain regions that no one had ever successfully identified genetics effects on before," said Jessica Turner, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgia State University.

Their goal was to determine how common genetic variants affect the structure of these seven subcortical brain regions, which are associated with memory, movement, learning and motivation.

Advertisement

Changes in these brain areas can lead to abnormal behaviour and predisposition to disease.

Previous research showed that the brain's structure was strongly shaped by genetic influences. Identifying genetic variants could provide insight into the causes for variation in human brain development and help to determine how dysfunction in the brain occurs.

Advertisement

"Those are brain regions that we know are involved in various psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. In trying to figure out the genetics that make them either larger or smaller, it could have great benefits for understanding mechanisms of these disorders," Turner concluded.

Their findings were published in the journal Nature.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Brain, Disease, Disorder, Genetics, MRI, Science
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Vivo Y400 Pro 5G India Launch Date Confirmed; Design Revealed
  2. Realme Narzo 80 Lite 5G Launched in India With 6,000mAh Battery: See Price
  3. OnePlus Nord 5 Series, OnePlus Buds 4 to Launch in India on This Day
  4. Oppo K13x 5G India Launch Date, Price Range and Key Features Revealed
  5. Boat SmartRing Active Plus Launched in India: Check Price, Features
  6. Vivo X200 FE Global Launch Confirmed; Design Teased
  7. You Can Now Listen to Search Results as a Podcast-Style AI Conversation
  1. Vivo X200 FE Confirmed to Launch Soon in Global Markets; Pre-Reservations Begin
  2. OnePlus Nord 5, Nord CE 5, and Buds 4 India Launch Date Set for July 8; Key Features, Availability Revealed
  3. Xiaomi Pad 7S Pro Launch Date, Key Specifications Including XRING O1 Chip Revealed
  4. Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Edges Past $106,000 in Modest Recovery; Altcoins See Gains
  5. Apple to Ship 2.8 Million iPhone Units in India in Q2 2025 Despite Seasonal Slowdown, Heat Wave: Report
  6. Nintendo Switch 2 Sets All-Time Launch Week Sales Record in the US, Beating Sony's PS4
  7. Oppo K13x 5G India Launch Date Set for June 23; Price Range, Key Features Revealed
  8. Google Tests AI-Powered Audio Overviews in Search Results for Certain Queries
  9. Boat SmartRing Active Plus With SpO2 Monitoring, Heart Rate Tracking Launched in India
  10. Axiom-4 Mission Launch Carrying Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Set for June 19
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.