The effects of genetic and modifiable risk factors on brain regions vulnerable to ageing and disease.

ABSTRACT: We have previously identified a network of higher-order brain regions particularly vulnerable to the ageing process, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. However, it remains unknown what the genetic influences on this fragile brain network are, and whether it can be altered by the most common modifiable risk factors for dementia. Here, in ~40,000 UK Biobank participants, we first show significant genome-wide associations between this brain network and seven genetic clusters implicated in cardiovascular deaths, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and with the two antigens of the XG blood group located in the pseudoautosomal region of the sex chromosomes. We further reveal that the most deleterious modifiable risk factors for this vulnerable brain network are diabetes, nitr

SUBMITTER: Manuello J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10973379 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature