Genome-wide association study identifies 48 common genetic variants associated with handedness
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Handedness has been extensively studied because of its relationship with language and the over-representation of left-handers in some neurodevelopmental disorders. Using data from the UK Biobank, 23andMe and the International Handedness Consortium, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of handedness (N = 1,766,671). We found 41 loci associated (P <5 x 10(-8)) with left-handedness and 7 associated with ambidexterity. Tissue-enrichment analysis implicated the CNS in the aetiology of handedness. Pathways including regulation of microtubules and brain morphology were also highlighted. We found suggestive positive genetic correlations between left-handedness and neuropsychiatric traits, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, the genetic correlation between left-handedness and ambidexterity is low (r(G) = 0.26), which implies that these traits are largely influenced by different genetic mechanisms. Our findings suggest that handedness is highly polygenic and that the genetic variants that predispose to left-handedness may underlie part of the association with some psychiatric disorders.
A genome-wide association study of 1.7 million individuals identified 41 genetic variants associated with left-handedness and 7 associated with ambidexterity. The genetic correlation between the traits was low, thereby implying different aetiologies.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Nature Human Behaviour |
Volume | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 59-70 |
ISSN | 2397-3374 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
- LANGUAGE DOMINANCE, LINKAGE ANALYSIS, METAANALYSIS, MICROTUBULE, ASYMMETRY, AUTISM, LATERALIZATION, SCHIZOPHRENIA, ORIGINS, SCREEN
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