Genetic propensities for verbal and spatial ability have opposite effects on body mass index and risk of schizophrenia

Gudrun A. Jonsdottir; Gudmundur Einarsson; Gudmar Thorleifsson; Sigurdur H. Magnusson; Arni F. Gunnarsson; Michael L. Frigge; Rosa S. Gisladottir; Unnur Unnsteinsdottir; Bjarni Gunnarsson; G. Bragi Walters; Valgerdur Steinthorsdottir; Anna Helgadottir; Ingileif Jonsdottir; Thorsteinn Gislason; Haraldur S. Thorsteinsson; Engilbert Sigurdsson; Magnus Haraldsson; Emil L. Sigurdsson; Ragnar Bjarnason; Isleifur Olafsson; Gudmundur Thorgeirsson; Patrick Sulem; Hilma Holm; Unnur Thorsteinsdottir; Daniel F. Gudbjartsson; Gyda Bjornsdottir; Thorgeir E. Thorgeirsson; Hreinn Stefansson; Kari Stefansson

doi:10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565

Genetic propensities for verbal and spatial ability have opposite effects on body mass index and risk of schizophrenia

Gudrun A. Jonsdottir
, Gudmundur Einarsson
, Gudmar Thorleifsson
, Sigurdur H. Magnusson
, Arni F. Gunnarsson
, Michael L. Frigge
, Rosa S. Gisladottir
, Unnur Unnsteinsdottir
, Bjarni Gunnarsson
, G. Bragi Walters
, Valgerdur Steinthorsdottir
, Anna Helgadottir
, Ingileif Jonsdottir
, Thorsteinn Gislason
, Haraldur S. Thorsteinsson
, Engilbert Sigurdsson
, Magnus Haraldsson
, Emil L. Sigurdsson
, Ragnar Bjarnason
, Isleifur Olafsson

Gudmundur Thorgeirsson, Patrick Sulem, Hilma Holm, Unnur Thorsteinsdottir, Daniel F. Gudbjartsson, Gyda Bjornsdottir, Thorgeir E. Thorgeirsson, Hreinn Stefansson, Kari Stefansson

University of Iceland, Landspitali

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We generated two polygenic scores, one capturing verbal and the other spatial aspects of cognitive ability, using UK Biobank data and studied their effects on various diseases and other traits in the Icelandic population. The score tagging spatial ability associated with higher body mass index (β = 0.032, p = 3.2 × 10⁻¹³), but lower risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.82, p = 8.8 × 10⁻⁹) and other mental disorders. Furthermore, it associated with less openness, a personality trait reflecting curiosity and creativity (β = −0.023, p = 1.3 × 10⁻⁴). Conversely, the score tagging verbal ability associated with lower body mass index (β = −0.023, p = 1.6 × 10⁻⁷) and more openness (β = 0.045, p = 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁴), but did not associate with risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.97, p = 0.42). Furthermore, applying genomic structural equation modeling, we observed that the genetic component of verbal ability associated positively with the genetic component of schizophrenia after conditioning on the g factor (b_g = 0.193, p = 5.4 × 10⁻⁴). Thus, at the genetic level, verbal and spatial ability exhibit contrasting associations with indicators of mental and physical health, as well as with personality.

Original language	English
Article number	101565
Journal	Intelligence
Volume	88
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: We would like to thank participants in deCODE studies for their contribution. We would also like to thank employees at the Research Recruitment Center and staff at deCODE genetics core facilities who contributed to recruitment, sample handling and genotyping. This research has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource under Application Number 24898 and in part funded through the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement Number 847776 ). Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors

Other keywords

Body mass index
Cognitive ability
Geðklofi
Health
Intelligence
Learning disability
Líkamsþyngdarstuðull
Personality
Polygenic score
Schizophrenia

Access to Document

10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289621000490?via%3Dihub

CoMorMent: Predicting comorbid cardiovascular disease in individuals with mental disorder by decoding disease mechanisms
Valdimarsdóttir, U. A. (PI)
1/01/20 → 30/06/24
University of Iceland
Project: Research

Cite this

Jonsdottir, G. A., Einarsson, G., Thorleifsson, G., Magnusson, S. H., Gunnarsson, A. F., Frigge, M. L., Gisladottir, R. S., Unnsteinsdottir, U., Gunnarsson, B., Walters, G. B., Steinthorsdottir, V., Helgadottir, A., Jonsdottir, I., Gislason, T., Thorsteinsson, H. S., Sigurdsson, E., Haraldsson, M., Sigurdsson, E. L., Bjarnason, R., ... Stefansson, K. (2021). Genetic propensities for verbal and spatial ability have opposite effects on body mass index and risk of schizophrenia. Intelligence, 88, Article 101565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565

@article{341216660ef842f3a8a30245bc395850,

title = "Genetic propensities for verbal and spatial ability have opposite effects on body mass index and risk of schizophrenia",

abstract = "We generated two polygenic scores, one capturing verbal and the other spatial aspects of cognitive ability, using UK Biobank data and studied their effects on various diseases and other traits in the Icelandic population. The score tagging spatial ability associated with higher body mass index (β = 0.032, p = 3.2 × 10−13), but lower risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.82, p = 8.8 × 10−9) and other mental disorders. Furthermore, it associated with less openness, a personality trait reflecting curiosity and creativity (β = −0.023, p = 1.3 × 10−4). Conversely, the score tagging verbal ability associated with lower body mass index (β = −0.023, p = 1.6 × 10−7) and more openness (β = 0.045, p = 3.5 × 10−14), but did not associate with risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.97, p = 0.42). Furthermore, applying genomic structural equation modeling, we observed that the genetic component of verbal ability associated positively with the genetic component of schizophrenia after conditioning on the g factor (bg = 0.193, p = 5.4 × 10−4). Thus, at the genetic level, verbal and spatial ability exhibit contrasting associations with indicators of mental and physical health, as well as with personality.",

keywords = "Body mass index, Cognitive ability, Ge{\dh}klofi, Health, Intelligence, Learning disability, L{\'i}kams{\th}yngdarstu{\dh}ull, Personality, Polygenic score, Schizophrenia, Body mass index, Cognitive ability, Ge{\dh}klofi, Health, Intelligence, Learning disability, L{\'i}kams{\th}yngdarstu{\dh}ull, Personality, Polygenic score, Schizophrenia",

author = "Jonsdottir, \{Gudrun A.\} and Gudmundur Einarsson and Gudmar Thorleifsson and Magnusson, \{Sigurdur H.\} and Gunnarsson, \{Arni F.\} and Frigge, \{Michael L.\} and Gisladottir, \{Rosa S.\} and Unnur Unnsteinsdottir and Bjarni Gunnarsson and Walters, \{G. Bragi\} and Valgerdur Steinthorsdottir and Anna Helgadottir and Ingileif Jonsdottir and Thorsteinn Gislason and Thorsteinsson, \{Haraldur S.\} and Engilbert Sigurdsson and Magnus Haraldsson and Sigurdsson, \{Emil L.\} and Ragnar Bjarnason and Isleifur Olafsson and Gudmundur Thorgeirsson and Patrick Sulem and Hilma Holm and Unnur Thorsteinsdottir and Gudbjartsson, \{Daniel F.\} and Gyda Bjornsdottir and Thorgeirsson, \{Thorgeir E.\} and Hreinn Stefansson and Kari Stefansson",

note = "Funding Information: We would like to thank participants in deCODE studies for their contribution. We would also like to thank employees at the Research Recruitment Center and staff at deCODE genetics core facilities who contributed to recruitment, sample handling and genotyping. This research has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource under Application Number 24898 and in part funded through the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement Number 847776 ). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 The Authors",

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doi = "10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565",

language = "English",

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Jonsdottir, GA, Einarsson, G, Thorleifsson, G, Magnusson, SH, Gunnarsson, AF, Frigge, ML, Gisladottir, RS, Unnsteinsdottir, U, Gunnarsson, B, Walters, GB, Steinthorsdottir, V, Helgadottir, A, Jonsdottir, I, Gislason, T, Thorsteinsson, HS, Sigurdsson, E , Haraldsson, M, Sigurdsson, EL, Bjarnason, R , Olafsson, I , Thorgeirsson, G, Sulem, P, Holm, H, Thorsteinsdottir, U, Gudbjartsson, DF, Bjornsdottir, G, Thorgeirsson, TE, Stefansson, H & Stefansson, K 2021, 'Genetic propensities for verbal and spatial ability have opposite effects on body mass index and risk of schizophrenia', Intelligence, vol. 88, 101565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565

TY - JOUR

T1 - Genetic propensities for verbal and spatial ability have opposite effects on body mass index and risk of schizophrenia

AU - Jonsdottir, Gudrun A.

AU - Einarsson, Gudmundur

AU - Thorleifsson, Gudmar

AU - Magnusson, Sigurdur H.

AU - Gunnarsson, Arni F.

AU - Frigge, Michael L.

AU - Gisladottir, Rosa S.

AU - Unnsteinsdottir, Unnur

AU - Gunnarsson, Bjarni

AU - Walters, G. Bragi

AU - Steinthorsdottir, Valgerdur

AU - Helgadottir, Anna

AU - Jonsdottir, Ingileif

AU - Gislason, Thorsteinn

AU - Thorsteinsson, Haraldur S.

AU - Sigurdsson, Engilbert

AU - Haraldsson, Magnus

AU - Sigurdsson, Emil L.

AU - Bjarnason, Ragnar

AU - Olafsson, Isleifur

AU - Thorgeirsson, Gudmundur

AU - Sulem, Patrick

AU - Holm, Hilma

AU - Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur

AU - Gudbjartsson, Daniel F.

AU - Bjornsdottir, Gyda

AU - Thorgeirsson, Thorgeir E.

AU - Stefansson, Hreinn

AU - Stefansson, Kari

N1 - Funding Information: We would like to thank participants in deCODE studies for their contribution. We would also like to thank employees at the Research Recruitment Center and staff at deCODE genetics core facilities who contributed to recruitment, sample handling and genotyping. This research has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource under Application Number 24898 and in part funded through the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement Number 847776 ). Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors

PY - 2021/9/1

Y1 - 2021/9/1

N2 - We generated two polygenic scores, one capturing verbal and the other spatial aspects of cognitive ability, using UK Biobank data and studied their effects on various diseases and other traits in the Icelandic population. The score tagging spatial ability associated with higher body mass index (β = 0.032, p = 3.2 × 10−13), but lower risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.82, p = 8.8 × 10−9) and other mental disorders. Furthermore, it associated with less openness, a personality trait reflecting curiosity and creativity (β = −0.023, p = 1.3 × 10−4). Conversely, the score tagging verbal ability associated with lower body mass index (β = −0.023, p = 1.6 × 10−7) and more openness (β = 0.045, p = 3.5 × 10−14), but did not associate with risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.97, p = 0.42). Furthermore, applying genomic structural equation modeling, we observed that the genetic component of verbal ability associated positively with the genetic component of schizophrenia after conditioning on the g factor (bg = 0.193, p = 5.4 × 10−4). Thus, at the genetic level, verbal and spatial ability exhibit contrasting associations with indicators of mental and physical health, as well as with personality.

AB - We generated two polygenic scores, one capturing verbal and the other spatial aspects of cognitive ability, using UK Biobank data and studied their effects on various diseases and other traits in the Icelandic population. The score tagging spatial ability associated with higher body mass index (β = 0.032, p = 3.2 × 10−13), but lower risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.82, p = 8.8 × 10−9) and other mental disorders. Furthermore, it associated with less openness, a personality trait reflecting curiosity and creativity (β = −0.023, p = 1.3 × 10−4). Conversely, the score tagging verbal ability associated with lower body mass index (β = −0.023, p = 1.6 × 10−7) and more openness (β = 0.045, p = 3.5 × 10−14), but did not associate with risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.97, p = 0.42). Furthermore, applying genomic structural equation modeling, we observed that the genetic component of verbal ability associated positively with the genetic component of schizophrenia after conditioning on the g factor (bg = 0.193, p = 5.4 × 10−4). Thus, at the genetic level, verbal and spatial ability exhibit contrasting associations with indicators of mental and physical health, as well as with personality.

KW - Body mass index

KW - Cognitive ability

KW - Geðklofi

KW - Health

KW - Intelligence

KW - Learning disability

KW - Líkamsþyngdarstuðull

KW - Personality

KW - Polygenic score

KW - Schizophrenia

KW - Body mass index

KW - Cognitive ability

KW - Geðklofi

KW - Health

KW - Intelligence

KW - Learning disability

KW - Líkamsþyngdarstuðull

KW - Personality

KW - Polygenic score

KW - Schizophrenia

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U2 - 10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565

DO - 10.1016/j.intell.2021.101565

M3 - Article

SN - 0160-2896

VL - 88

JO - Intelligence

JF - Intelligence

M1 - 101565

ER -

Genetic propensities for verbal and spatial ability have opposite effects on body mass index and risk of schizophrenia

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Other keywords

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Projects

CoMorMent: Predicting comorbid cardiovascular disease in individuals with mental disorder by decoding disease mechanisms

Cite this