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The genetic architecture of structural left–right asymmetry of the human brain

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiqiang Sha

    (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics)

  • Dick Schijven

    (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics)

  • Amaia Carrion-Castillo

    (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics)

  • Marc Joliot

    (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, et Université de Bordeaux)

  • Bernard Mazoyer

    (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, et Université de Bordeaux)

  • Simon E. Fisher

    (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics
    Radboud University)

  • Fabrice Crivello

    (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, et Université de Bordeaux)

  • Clyde Francks

    (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics
    Radboud University)

Abstract

Left–right hemispheric asymmetry is an important aspect of healthy brain organization for many functions including language, and it can be altered in cognitive and psychiatric disorders. No mechanism has yet been identified for establishing the human brain’s left–right axis. We performed multivariate genome-wide association scanning of cortical regional surface area and thickness asymmetries, and subcortical volume asymmetries, using data from 32,256 participants from the UK Biobank. There were 21 significant loci associated with different aspects of brain asymmetry, with functional enrichment involving microtubule-related genes and embryonic brain expression. These findings are consistent with a known role of the cytoskeleton in left–right axis determination in other organs of invertebrates and frogs. Genetic variants associated with brain asymmetry overlapped with those associated with autism, educational attainment and schizophrenia. Comparably large datasets will likely be required in future studies, to replicate and further clarify the associations of microtubule-related genes with variation in brain asymmetry, behavioural and psychiatric traits.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiqiang Sha & Dick Schijven & Amaia Carrion-Castillo & Marc Joliot & Bernard Mazoyer & Simon E. Fisher & Fabrice Crivello & Clyde Francks, 2021. "The genetic architecture of structural left–right asymmetry of the human brain," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(9), pages 1226-1239, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:5:y:2021:i:9:d:10.1038_s41562-021-01069-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01069-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dick Schijven & Sourena Soheili-Nezhad & Simon E. Fisher & Clyde Francks, 2024. "Exome-wide analysis implicates rare protein-altering variants in human handedness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Loïc Labache & Tian Ge & B. T. Thomas Yeo & Avram J. Holmes, 2023. "Language network lateralization is reflected throughout the macroscale functional organization of cortex," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Jakub Kopal & Kuldeep Kumar & Kimia Shafighi & Karin Saltoun & Claudia Modenato & Clara A. Moreau & Guillaume Huguet & Martineau Jean-Louis & Charles-Olivier Martin & Zohra Saci & Nadine Younis & Elis, 2024. "Using rare genetic mutations to revisit structural brain asymmetry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Eva-Maria Stauffer & Richard A. I. Bethlehem & Lena Dorfschmidt & Hyejung Won & Varun Warrier & Edward T. Bullmore, 2023. "The genetic relationships between brain structure and schizophrenia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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