Open AccessGenetic patterns of correlation among subcortical volumes in humans: Results from a magnetic resonance imaging twin study
Author(s) -
Eyler Lisa T.,
PromWormley Elizabeth,
FennemaNotestine Christine,
Panizzon Matthew S.,
Neale Michael C.,
Jernigan Terry L.,
Fischl Bruce,
Franz Carol E.,
Lyons Michael J.,
Stevens Allison,
Pacheco Jennifer,
Perry Michele E.,
Schmitt J. Eric,
Spitzer Nicholas C.,
Seidman Larry J.,
Thermenos Heidi W.,
Tsuang Ming T.,
Dale Anders M.,
Kremen William S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.21054
Subject(s) - genetic correlation , neuroscience , correlation , psychology , brain size , thalamus , twin study , putamen , basal ganglia , genetic model , biology , magnetic resonance imaging , genetic variation , evolutionary biology , genetics , heritability , central nervous system , gene , medicine , geometry , mathematics , radiology
Little is known about genetic influences on the volume of subcortical brain structures in adult humans, particularly whether there is regional specificity of genetic effects. Understanding patterns of genetic covariation among volumes of subcortical structures may provide insight into the development of individual differences that have consequences for cognitive and emotional behavior and neuropsychiatric disease liability. We measured the volume of 19 subcortical structures (including brain and ventricular regions) in 404 twins (110 monozygotic and 92 dizygotic pairs) from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging and calculated the degree of genetic correlation among these volumes. We then examined the patterns of genetic correlation through hierarchical cluster analysis and by principal components analysis. We found that a model with four genetic factors best fit the data: a Basal Ganglia/Thalamus factor; a Ventricular factor; a Limbic factor; and a Nucleus Accumbens factor. Homologous regions from each hemisphere loaded on the same factors. The observed patterns of genetic correlation suggest the influence of multiple genetic influences. There is a genetic organization among structures which distinguishes between brain and cerebrospinal fluid spaces and between different subcortical regions. Further study is needed to understand this genetic patterning and whether it reflects influences on early development, functionally dependent patterns of growth or pruning, or regionally specific losses due to genes involved in aging, stress response, or disease. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.