Summary
This genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain MRI data from 51,665 individuals identified 237 genetic loci associated with variation in human cortical surface area and thickness. Bioinformatic enrichment analyses suggest that genetic influences on total surface area operate through regulatory elements active in fetal neural progenitor cells, consistent with the radial unit hypothesis, whilst thickness variation appears shaped by regulatory mechanisms active in mature brain tissue. The study demonstrates substantial heritability for cortical structure and reveals opposing genetic effects on surface area and thickness.
UK applicability
This fundamental neuroscience research on genetic determinants of brain structure has limited direct application to UK farming systems, soil health, or food-based interventions. However, the findings may inform future nutritional research examining dietary influences on cortical development if those pathways intersect with the identified genetic regulatory networks.
Key measures
Genome-wide association study results; cortical surface area and average thickness; heritability estimates (34% for surface area, 26% for thickness); genetic correlation between surface area and thickness (r_G = −0.32); number of significant loci at multiple testing thresholds
Outcomes reported
The study identified 237 genetic loci significantly associated with variation in human cortical surface area and thickness across 51,665 individuals. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that surface area is influenced by genetic variants affecting neural progenitor cell regulation during fetal development, whilst thickness is influenced by regulatory elements active in adult brain tissue.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.