Showing papers by "Robert Gentleman published in 2020"

Shared and distinct genetic influences between cognitive domains and psychiatric disorder risk based on genome-wide data

Abstract: Group-level cognitive performance differences are found in psychiatric disorders ranging from depression to autism to schizophrenia. To investigate the genetics of individual differences in fluid and crystallized cognitive abilities and their associations with psychiatric disorder risk, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of a total of 335 227 consented 23andMe customers of European descent between the ages of 50 and 85, who completed at least one online test of crystallized cognitive ability (vocabulary knowledge, N=188 434) and/or fluid cognitive ability (visual change detection, N=158 888; digit-symbol substitution, N=132 807). All cognitive measures were significantly heritable (h2=0.10-0.16), and GWAS identified 25 novel genome-wide significant loci. Genetic correlation analyses highlight variable profiles of genetic relationships across tasks and disorders. While schizophrenia had moderate negative genetic correlations with tests of fluid cognition (visual change detection rg=-0.27, p 0.005). Crystalized and fluid cognitive abilities thus have correlated but distinct genetic architectures that relate to those of psychiatric disorders. Understanding the genetic underpinnings of specific cognitive abilities, and their relationships to psychiatric disorder risk, can inform the understanding of disease biology nosology and etiology.

Demographic, spatial, and temporal dietary intake patterns among 526,774 23andMe research participants

Abstract: Objective To characterize dietary habits, their temporal and spatial patterns, and associations with body mass index (BMI) in the 23andMe study population. Design We present a large-scale cross-sectional analysis of self-reported dietary intake data derived from the web-based NHANES 2009-2010 dietary screener. Survey-weighted estimates for each food item were characterized by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and BMI. Temporal patterns were plotted over a 2-year time period, and average consumption for select food items was mapped by state. Finally, dietary intake variables were tested for association with BMI. Setting U.S. based adults 20-85 years of age participating in the 23andMe research program. Participants Participants were 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research (n=526,774) and completed web-based surveys on demographic and dietary habits. Results Survey-weighted estimates show very few participants met federal recommendations for fruit: 2.6%, vegetables: 5.9%, and dairy intake: 2.8%. Between 2017-2019, fruit, vegetables, and milk intake frequency declined, while total dairy remained stable and added sugars increased. Seasonal patterns in reporting were most pronounced for ice cream, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables. Dietary habits varied across the U.S., with higher intake of sugar and calorie dense foods characterizing areas with higher average BMI. In multivariate-adjusted models, BMI was directly associated with intake of processed meat, red meat, dairy, and inversely associated with consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Conclusions 23andMe research participants have created an opportunity for rapid, large scale, real time nutritional data collection, informing demographic, seasonal and spatial patterns with broad geographical coverage across the U.S.