Genetics of early-life head circumference and genetic correlations with neurological, psychiatric and cognitive outcomes
Authors: Vogelezang Suzanne , Bradfield Jonathan P. ,   the Early Growth Genetics Consortium, Vogelezang Suzanne , Bradfield Jonathan P. , Johansson Stefan , Stergiakouli Evie , Thiering Elisabeth , Pennell Craig E. , Ahluwalia Tarunveer S. , Karhunen Ville , Scholz Markus , Liu Xueping , Iñiguez Carmen , Raitakari Olli T. , Bacelis Jonas , Schnurr Theresia M. , Lakka Timo A. , Ntalla Ioanna , Lind Mads V. , Lauritzen Lotte , Herrala Sauli , Lin Frederick T. J. , Frithioff-Bøjsøe Christine , Beaumont Robin N. , Zafarmand Mohammed H. , Rzehak Peter , Bilbao Jose R. , Junna Nella , Vonk Judith M. , Rifas-Shiman Sheryl L. , Janjanam Vimala D. , Knol Maria J. , Ramdas Shweta , Beilin Lawrie , Bønnelykke Klaus , Casas Maribel , Eriksson Johan G. , Escribano Joaquin , Evans Tavia E. , Gehring Ulrike , Geller Frank , Grote Veit , Gruszfeld Darek , Hakonarson Hakon , Hattersley Andrew T. , Have Christian T. , Geoffrey Hayes M. , Heinrich Joachim , Helgeland Øvind , Holloway Jhon , Joro Raimo , Juodakis Julius , Knight Bridget A. , Koletzko Bert , Körner Antje , Langhendries Jean-Paul , Leinonen Jaakko T. , Lindi Virpi , Lund Morten A. V. , Lye Stephen , Melbye Mads , Michaelsen Kim F. , Morgen Camilla S. , Niinikoski Harri , Pahkala Katja , Panoutsopoulou Kalliope , Pedersen Oluf , Rivadeneira Fernando , Santa-Marina Loreto , Schaik Barbera D. C. , Scholtens Denise , Sebert Sylvain , Tamayo Ibon , Timpson Nicholas J. , Torrent Maties , Uitterlinden André G. , Vaudel Marc , Verduci Elvira , Vinding Rebecca , Vogel Mandy , Zeggini Eleftheria , Brown Christopher , Adams Hieab H. H. , Karmaus Wilfried , Hivert Marie-France , Koppelman Gerard H. , Widén Elisabeth , Fernandez-Jimenez Nora , Waldenberger Melanie , Vrijkotte Tanja G. M. , Freathy Rachel M. , Holm Jens-Christian , Lowe William L. , Grarup Niels , Hansen Torben , Dedoussis George V. , Atalay Mustafa , Nohr Ellen A. , Jacobsson Bo , Pitkänen Niina , Vrijheid Martine , Feenstra Bjarke , Kiess Wieland , Jarvelin Marjo-Riita , Bisgaard Hans , Wang C Carol , Standl Marie , McCarthy Mark I. , Pourcain Beate St , Njølstad Pål R. , Grant Struan F. A. , Felix Janine F. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. 
Published: June 2022

Background

Head circumference is associated with intelligence and tracks from childhood into adulthood.

Methods

We performed a genome-wide association study meta-analysis and follow-up of head circumference in a total of 29,192 participants between 6 and 30 months of age.

Results

Seven loci reached genome-wide significance in the combined discovery and replication analysis of which three loci near ARFGEF2, MYCL1, and TOP1, were novel. We observed positive genetic correlations for early-life head circumference with adult intracranial volume, years of schooling, childhood and adult intelligence, but not with adult psychiatric, neurological, or personality-related phenotypes.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the biological processes underlying early-life head circumference overlap largely with those of adult head circumference. The associations of early-life head circumference with cognitive outcomes across the life course are partly explained by genetics.