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Genetic correlations of psychiatric traits with body composition and glycemic traits are sex- and age-dependent

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Hübel

    (King’s College London
    South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
    Karolinska Institutet)

  • Héléna A. Gaspar

    (King’s College London
    South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Jonathan R. I. Coleman

    (King’s College London
    South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Ken B. Hanscombe

    (Guy’s Hospital)

  • Kirstin Purves

    (King’s College London)

  • Inga Prokopenko

    (University of Surrey)

  • Mariaelisa Graff

    (University of North Carolina)

  • Julius S. Ngwa

    (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
    Boston University School of Public Health)

  • Tsegaselassie Workalemahu

    (National Institutes of Health)

  • Paul F. O’Reilly

    (King’s College London)

  • Cynthia M. Bulik

    (Karolinska Institutet
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

  • Gerome Breen

    (King’s College London
    South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust)

Abstract

Body composition is often altered in psychiatric disorders. Using genome-wide common genetic variation data, we calculate sex-specific genetic correlations amongst body fat %, fat mass, fat-free mass, physical activity, glycemic traits and 17 psychiatric traits (up to N = 217,568). Two patterns emerge: (1) anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and education years are negatively genetically correlated with body fat % and fat-free mass, whereas (2) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alcohol dependence, insomnia, and heavy smoking are positively correlated. Anorexia nervosa shows a stronger genetic correlation with body fat % in females, whereas education years is more strongly correlated with fat mass in males. Education years and ADHD show genetic overlap with childhood obesity. Mendelian randomization identifies schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, and higher education as causal for decreased fat mass, with higher body fat % possibly being a causal risk factor for ADHD and heavy smoking. These results suggest new possibilities for targeted preventive strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Hübel & Héléna A. Gaspar & Jonathan R. I. Coleman & Ken B. Hanscombe & Kirstin Purves & Inga Prokopenko & Mariaelisa Graff & Julius S. Ngwa & Tsegaselassie Workalemahu & Paul F. O’Reill, 2019. "Genetic correlations of psychiatric traits with body composition and glycemic traits are sex- and age-dependent," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13544-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13544-0
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