Genetic architecture of epigenetic and neuronal ageing rates in human brain regions.

ABSTRACT: Identifying genes regulating the pace of epigenetic ageing represents a new frontier in genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Here using 1,796 brain samples from 1,163 individuals, we carry out a GWAS of two DNA methylation-based biomarkers of brain age: the epigenetic ageing rate and estimated proportion of neurons. Locus 17q11.2 is significantly associated (P=4.5 × 10^-9) with the ageing rate across five brain regions and harbours a cis-expression quantitative trait locus for EFCAB5 (P=3.4 × 10^-20). Locus 1p36.12 is significantly associated (P=2.2 × 10^-8) with epigenetic ageing of the prefrontal cortex, independent of the proportion of neurons. Our GWAS of the proportion of neurons identified two genome-wide significant loci (10q26 and 12p13.31) and res

SUBMITTER: Lu AT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5454371 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature