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

Zhiqiang Sha, Dick Schijven, Amaia Carrion-Castillo, Marc Joliot, Bernard Mazoyer, Simon E. Fisher, Fabrice Crivello and Clyde Francks ()
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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
Fabrice Crivello: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, et Université de Bordeaux
Clyde Francks: Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics

Nature Human Behaviour, 2021, vol. 5, issue 9, 1226-1239

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01069-w

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