Featured Publications
Sex-Specific Genetic and Transcriptomic Liability to Neuroticism
Wendt FR, Pathak GA, Singh K, Stein MB, Koenen KC, Krystal JH, Gelernter J, Davis LK, Polimanti R. Sex-Specific Genetic and Transcriptomic Liability to Neuroticism. Biological Psychiatry 2022, 93: 243-252. PMID: 36244801, PMCID: PMC10508260, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.07.019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesTranscriptomic profilesAssociation studiesSingle nucleotide polymorphism heritabilityGene expression variationGenome-wide significanceSex-specific geneticChromosomal variationTranscriptomic changesRisk lociExpression variationBiological processesMolecular pathwaysLociPolygenic associationSex-specific effectsGenetic correlatesPolygenic scoresUK BiobankGenetic riskNCOA6GeneticsHeritabilityPathwayFemales
2024
Genome-wide association analyses identify 95 risk loci and provide insights into the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder
Nievergelt C, Maihofer A, Atkinson E, Chen C, Choi K, Coleman J, Daskalakis N, Duncan L, Polimanti R, Aaronson C, Amstadter A, Andersen S, Andreassen O, Arbisi P, Ashley-Koch A, Austin S, Avdibegoviç E, Babić D, Bacanu S, Baker D, Batzler A, Beckham J, Belangero S, Benjet C, Bergner C, Bierer L, Biernacka J, Bierut L, Bisson J, Boks M, Bolger E, Brandolino A, Breen G, Bressan R, Bryant R, Bustamante A, Bybjerg-Grauholm J, Bækvad-Hansen M, Børglum A, Børte S, Cahn L, Calabrese J, Caldas-de-Almeida J, Chatzinakos C, Cheema S, Clouston S, Colodro-Conde L, Coombes B, Cruz-Fuentes C, Dale A, Dalvie S, Davis L, Deckert J, Delahanty D, Dennis M, Desarnaud F, DiPietro C, Disner S, Docherty A, Domschke K, Dyb G, Kulenović A, Edenberg H, Evans A, Fabbri C, Fani N, Farrer L, Feder A, Feeny N, Flory J, Forbes D, Franz C, Galea S, Garrett M, Gelaye B, Gelernter J, Geuze E, Gillespie C, Goleva S, Gordon S, Goçi A, Grasser L, Guindalini C, Haas M, Hagenaars S, Hauser M, Heath A, Hemmings S, Hesselbrock V, Hickie I, Hogan K, Hougaard D, Huang H, Huckins L, Hveem K, Jakovljević M, Javanbakht A, Jenkins G, Johnson J, Jones I, Jovanovic T, Karstoft K, Kaufman M, Kennedy J, Kessler R, Khan A, Kimbrel N, King A, Koen N, Kotov R, Kranzler H, Krebs K, Kremen W, Kuan P, Lawford B, Lebois L, Lehto K, Levey D, Lewis C, Liberzon I, Linnstaedt S, Logue M, Lori A, Lu Y, Luft B, Lupton M, Luykx J, Makotkine I, Maples-Keller J, Marchese S, Marmar C, Martin N, Martínez-Levy G, McAloney K, McFarlane A, McLaughlin K, McLean S, Medland S, Mehta D, Meyers J, Michopoulos V, Mikita E, Milani L, Milberg W, Miller M, Morey R, Morris C, Mors O, Mortensen P, Mufford M, Nelson E, Nordentoft M, Norman S, Nugent N, O’Donnell M, Orcutt H, Pan P, Panizzon M, Pathak G, Peters E, Peterson A, Peverill M, Pietrzak R, Polusny M, Porjesz B, Powers A, Qin X, Ratanatharathorn A, Risbrough V, Roberts A, Rothbaum A, Rothbaum B, Roy-Byrne P, Ruggiero K, Rung A, Runz H, Rutten B, de Viteri S, Salum G, Sampson L, Sanchez S, Santoro M, Seah C, Seedat S, Seng J, Shabalin A, Sheerin C, Silove D, Smith A, Smoller J, Sponheim S, Stein D, Stensland S, Stevens J, Sumner J, Teicher M, Thompson W, Tiwari A, Trapido E, Uddin M, Ursano R, Valdimarsdóttir U, Van Hooff M, Vermetten E, Vinkers C, Voisey J, Wang Y, Wang Z, Waszczuk M, Weber H, Wendt F, Werge T, Williams M, Williamson D, Winsvold B, Winternitz S, Wolf C, Wolf E, Xia Y, Xiong Y, Yehuda R, Young K, Young R, Zai C, Zai G, Zervas M, Zhao H, Zoellner L, Zwart J, deRoon-Cassini T, van Rooij S, van den Heuvel L, Stein M, Ressler K, Koenen K. Genome-wide association analyses identify 95 risk loci and provide insights into the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder. Nature Genetics 2024, 56: 792-808. PMID: 38637617, PMCID: PMC11396662, DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01707-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMeta-analysis of genome-wide association studiesGenome-wide significant lociMulti-ancestry meta-analysisGenome-wide association analysisGenome-wide association studiesIndividuals of European ancestryPotential causal genesNative American ancestryMulti-omics approachPost-traumatic stress disorderAdmixed individualsSignificant lociRisk lociCausal genesAssociation studiesAssociation analysisFunctional genesTranscription factorsGenetic studiesAmerican ancestryEuropean ancestryAxon guidanceSynaptic structureLociGenes
2023
Sex differences in the polygenic architecture of hearing problems in adults
De Angelis F, Zeleznik O, Wendt F, Pathak G, Tylee D, De Lillo A, Koller D, Cabrera-Mendoza B, Clifford R, Maihofer A, Nievergelt C, Curhan G, Curhan S, Polimanti R. Sex differences in the polygenic architecture of hearing problems in adults. Genome Medicine 2023, 15: 36. PMID: 37165447, PMCID: PMC10173489, DOI: 10.1186/s13073-023-01186-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolygenic architectureRisk lociGenome-wide investigationLarge-scale genetic studiesTranscriptomic regulationGWAS findingsTranscriptomic associationsGene interactionsPotential roleRegulation analysisGenetic studiesInference analysisMillion Veteran ProgramHealth Professionals FollowMolecular pathwaysPolygenic riskPreventive screening programsMultivariate interaction analysisNovel insightsCentral nervous systemEnvironmental risk factorsSex-stratified analysesSex-specific analysesSex differencesMental health outcomesMultivariate genome-wide association meta-analysis of over 1 million subjects identifies loci underlying multiple substance use disorders
Hatoum A, Colbert S, Johnson E, Huggett S, Deak J, Pathak G, Jennings M, Paul S, Karcher N, Hansen I, Baranger D, Edwards A, Grotzinger A, Tucker-Drob E, Kranzler H, Davis L, Sanchez-Roige S, Polimanti R, Gelernter J, Edenberg H, Bogdan R, Agrawal A. Multivariate genome-wide association meta-analysis of over 1 million subjects identifies loci underlying multiple substance use disorders. Nature Mental Health 2023, 1: 210-223. PMID: 37250466, PMCID: PMC10217792, DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00034-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenome-wide associationGenetic risk lociIndependent single nucleotide polymorphismsProblematic tobacco useSingle nucleotide polymorphismsRisk lociHigh polygenicityLociReceptor geneAddiction risk factorsPolygenic risk scoresEuropean descentPolygenicityGenesSummary statisticsSubstance use disordersSomatic conditionsAncestryRegulationConfersUse disordersPolymorphismGenetic liabilityDopamine regulationPDE4B
2022
Genome-wide association study in individuals of European and African ancestry and multi-trait analysis of opioid use disorder identifies 19 independent genome-wide significant risk loci
Deak JD, Zhou H, Galimberti M, Levey DF, Wendt FR, Sanchez-Roige S, Hatoum AS, Johnson EC, Nunez YZ, Demontis D, Børglum AD, Rajagopal VM, Jennings MV, Kember RL, Justice AC, Edenberg HJ, Agrawal A, Polimanti R, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genome-wide association study in individuals of European and African ancestry and multi-trait analysis of opioid use disorder identifies 19 independent genome-wide significant risk loci. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 27: 3970-3979. PMID: 35879402, PMCID: PMC9718667, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01709-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesGenome-wide significant risk lociAssociation studiesVariant associationsLarge-scale genome-wide association studiesGenetic correlationsSignificant risk lociPsychiatric Genomics ConsortiumMulti-trait analysisPolygenic risk score analysisSingle-variant associationsGWS lociGenetic architectureIndividuals of EuropeanGWS associationsRisk lociGene regionGenomics ConsortiumMillion Veteran ProgramSusceptibility lociAfrican ancestryLociRisk score analysisGenetic informativenessSNPs oneGenome-wide meta-analysis of insomnia prioritizes genes associated with metabolic and psychiatric pathways
Watanabe K, Jansen PR, Savage JE, Nandakumar P, Wang X, Hinds D, Gelernter J, Levey D, Polimanti R, Stein M, Van Someren E, Smit A, Posthuma D. Genome-wide meta-analysis of insomnia prioritizes genes associated with metabolic and psychiatric pathways. Nature Genetics 2022, 54: 1125-1132. PMID: 35835914, DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01124-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRisk lociGenome-wide association studiesSpecific gene setsPrevious genome-wide association studyGene prioritization strategyExternal biological resourcesExtreme polygenicityExpression specificityAssociated lociSignaling functionsGene setsAssociation studiesNeuronal differentiationFunctional interactionGenesLociBiological resourcesPolygenicityNovel strategyPrioritization strategiesSpecific hypothesesDifferentiationPathwayStatistical powerLarge numberUsing phenotype risk scores to enhance gene discovery for generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder
Wendt FR, Pathak GA, Deak JD, De Angelis F, Koller D, Cabrera-Mendoza B, Lebovitch DS, Levey DF, Stein MB, Kranzler HR, Koenen KC, Gelernter J, Huckins LM, Polimanti R. Using phenotype risk scores to enhance gene discovery for generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 27: 2206-2215. PMID: 35181757, PMCID: PMC9133008, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01469-y.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Host Genetic Liability for Severe COVID-19 Associates with Alcohol Drinking Behavior and Diabetic Outcomes in Participants of European Descent
Wendt FR, De Lillo A, Pathak GA, De Angelis F, Initiative C, Polimanti R. Host Genetic Liability for Severe COVID-19 Associates with Alcohol Drinking Behavior and Diabetic Outcomes in Participants of European Descent. Frontiers In Genetics 2021, 12: 765247. PMID: 34966408, PMCID: PMC8711039, DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.765247.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRisk factorsPotential long-term health effectsAlcohol drinking statusLong-term health effectsCOVID-19 risk locusCOVID-19 infectionCOVID-19 outcomesAlcohol drinking behaviorCOVID-19 epidemiologyMetformin useDiabetic outcomesHematologic biomarkersLong-term consequencesDrinking statusDepressive symptomsHealth effectsSevere responseEuropean descentDrinking behaviorGenetic liabilityInfectionMolecular mechanismsOutcomesRisk lociGenetic contributionBi-ancestral depression GWAS in the Million Veteran Program and meta-analysis in >1.2 million individuals highlight new therapeutic directions
Levey DF, Stein MB, Wendt FR, Pathak GA, Zhou H, Aslan M, Quaden R, Harrington KM, Nuñez YZ, Overstreet C, Radhakrishnan K, Sanacora G, McIntosh AM, Shi J, Shringarpure SS, Concato J, Polimanti R, Gelernter J. Bi-ancestral depression GWAS in the Million Veteran Program and meta-analysis in >1.2 million individuals highlight new therapeutic directions. Nature Neuroscience 2021, 24: 954-963. PMID: 34045744, PMCID: PMC8404304, DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00860-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTranscriptome-wide association studyMillion Veteran ProgramTranscriptome-wide association study (TWAS) analysisGenomic risk lociComplex psychiatric traitsGenetic architectureRisk lociGene expressionAssociation studiesLikely pathogenicityPsychiatric traitsVeteran ProgramNew therapeutic directionEuropean ancestryNew insightsAncestryUK BiobankAfrican ancestrySubstantial replicationExpressionLarge independent cohortsGWASTherapeutic directionsGenesLociSex-stratified gene-by-environment genome-wide interaction study of trauma, posttraumatic-stress, and suicidality
Wendt FR, Pathak GA, Levey DF, Nuñez YZ, Overstreet C, Tyrrell C, Adhikari K, De Angelis F, Tylee DS, Goswami A, Krystal JH, Abdallah CG, Stein MB, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J, Polimanti R. Sex-stratified gene-by-environment genome-wide interaction study of trauma, posttraumatic-stress, and suicidality. Neurobiology Of Stress 2021, 14: 100309. PMID: 33665242, PMCID: PMC7905234, DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100309.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenome-wide interaction studyRisk lociChromatin interaction profilesExtracellular matrix biologyGene-based analysisMatrix biologyMolecular basisTranscriptomic profilesInteraction studiesMultivariate geneGenetic perspectiveSNP effectsSuicidal behavior severityLociNovel targetGenesInteraction profilesSynaptic plasticityCellsInteractorsGenetic riskBiologyStressGxEIndependent cohort
2020
Genome-wide meta-analysis of problematic alcohol use in 435,563 individuals yields insights into biology and relationships with other traits
Zhou H, Sealock JM, Sanchez-Roige S, Clarke TK, Levey DF, Cheng Z, Li B, Polimanti R, Kember RL, Smith RV, Thygesen JH, Morgan MY, Atkinson SR, Thursz MR, Nyegaard M, Mattheisen M, Børglum AD, Johnson EC, Justice AC, Palmer AA, McQuillin A, Davis LK, Edenberg HJ, Agrawal A, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genome-wide meta-analysis of problematic alcohol use in 435,563 individuals yields insights into biology and relationships with other traits. Nature Neuroscience 2020, 23: 809-818. PMID: 32451486, PMCID: PMC7485556, DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0643-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRegulatory genomic regionsGenome-wide association studiesNovel risk lociEuropean ancestry individualsPolygenic risk score analysisIndependent risk variantsGenetic architectureGenomic regionsRisk lociAssociation studiesGenetic relationshipsRisk genesGenetic correlationsPsychiatric traitsRisk variantsRisk score analysisTraitsGenetic heritabilityYields insightsBiobank samplesMendelian randomizationGenesLociBiologyHeritabilityReproducible Genetic Risk Loci for Anxiety: Results From ∼200,000 Participants in the Million Veteran Program
Levey DF, Gelernter J, Polimanti R, Zhou H, Cheng Z, Aslan M, Quaden R, Concato J, Radhakrishnan K, Bryois J, Sullivan PF, Stein M. Reproducible Genetic Risk Loci for Anxiety: Results From ∼200,000 Participants in the Million Veteran Program. American Journal Of Psychiatry 2020, 177: 223-232. PMID: 31906708, PMCID: PMC7869502, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19030256.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNovel genome-wide significant associationsGene expressionGenome-wide significant signalsGenome-wide significant associationMillion Veteran ProgramWide association studyGenetic risk lociSignificant genetic correlationsGenetic risk mechanismsGenetic architectureGlobal regulatorChromosome 3Risk lociChromosome 6Chromosome 7Association studiesLargest GWASLarge biobanksGlobal regulationGenetic correlationsContinuous traitsVeteran ProgramGWASsLociPrevious GWASs
2019
International meta-analysis of PTSD genome-wide association studies identifies sex- and ancestry-specific genetic risk loci
Nievergelt CM, Maihofer AX, Klengel T, Atkinson EG, Chen CY, Choi KW, Coleman JRI, Dalvie S, Duncan LE, Gelernter J, Levey DF, Logue MW, Polimanti R, Provost AC, Ratanatharathorn A, Stein MB, Torres K, Aiello AE, Almli LM, Amstadter AB, Andersen SB, Andreassen OA, Arbisi PA, Ashley-Koch AE, Austin SB, Avdibegovic E, Babić D, Bækvad-Hansen M, Baker DG, Beckham JC, Bierut LJ, Bisson JI, Boks MP, Bolger EA, Børglum AD, Bradley B, Brashear M, Breen G, Bryant RA, Bustamante AC, Bybjerg-Grauholm J, Calabrese JR, Caldas- de- Almeida J, Dale AM, Daly MJ, Daskalakis NP, Deckert J, Delahanty DL, Dennis MF, Disner SG, Domschke K, Dzubur-Kulenovic A, Erbes CR, Evans A, Farrer LA, Feeny NC, Flory JD, Forbes D, Franz CE, Galea S, Garrett ME, Gelaye B, Geuze E, Gillespie C, Uka AG, Gordon SD, Guffanti G, Hammamieh R, Harnal S, Hauser MA, Heath AC, Hemmings SMJ, Hougaard DM, Jakovljevic M, Jett M, Johnson EO, Jones I, Jovanovic T, Qin XJ, Junglen AG, Karstoft KI, Kaufman ML, Kessler RC, Khan A, Kimbrel NA, King AP, Koen N, Kranzler HR, Kremen WS, Lawford BR, Lebois LAM, Lewis CE, Linnstaedt SD, Lori A, Lugonja B, Luykx JJ, Lyons MJ, Maples-Keller J, Marmar C, Martin AR, Martin NG, Maurer D, Mavissakalian MR, McFarlane A, McGlinchey RE, McLaughlin KA, McLean SA, McLeay S, Mehta D, Milberg WP, Miller MW, Morey RA, Morris CP, Mors O, Mortensen PB, Neale BM, Nelson EC, Nordentoft M, Norman SB, O’Donnell M, Orcutt HK, Panizzon MS, Peters ES, Peterson AL, Peverill M, Pietrzak RH, Polusny MA, Rice JP, Ripke S, Risbrough VB, Roberts AL, Rothbaum AO, Rothbaum BO, Roy-Byrne P, Ruggiero K, Rung A, Rutten BPF, Saccone NL, Sanchez SE, Schijven D, Seedat S, Seligowski AV, Seng JS, Sheerin CM, Silove D, Smith AK, Smoller JW, Sponheim SR, Stein DJ, Stevens JS, Sumner JA, Teicher MH, Thompson WK, Trapido E, Uddin M, Ursano RJ, van den Heuvel LL, Van Hooff M, Vermetten E, Vinkers CH, Voisey J, Wang Y, Wang Z, Werge T, Williams MA, Williamson DE, Winternitz S, Wolf C, Wolf EJ, Wolff JD, Yehuda R, Young RM, Young KA, Zhao H, Zoellner LA, Liberzon I, Ressler KJ, Haas M, Koenen KC. International meta-analysis of PTSD genome-wide association studies identifies sex- and ancestry-specific genetic risk loci. Nature Communications 2019, 10: 4558. PMID: 31594949, PMCID: PMC6783435, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12576-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesDisease genesAssociation studiesGenome-wide significant lociAfrican-ancestry analysesNon-coding RNAsGenetic risk lociParkinson's disease genesEuropean ancestry populationsNovel genesSignificant lociGenetic variationSpecific lociRisk lociAdditional lociLociAncestry populationsCommon variantsHeritability estimatesGenesGWASRNABiologySNPsPARK2Genome-wide Association Study of Maximum Habitual Alcohol Intake in >140,000 U.S. European and African American Veterans Yields Novel Risk Loci
Gelernter J, Sun N, Polimanti R, Pietrzak RH, Levey DF, Lu Q, Hu Y, Li B, Radhakrishnan K, Aslan M, Cheung KH, Li Y, Rajeevan N, Sayward F, Harrington K, Chen Q, Cho K, Honerlaw J, Pyarajan S, Lencz T, Quaden R, Shi Y, Hunter-Zinck H, Gaziano JM, Kranzler HR, Concato J, Zhao H, Stein MB, Program D, Program M. Genome-wide Association Study of Maximum Habitual Alcohol Intake in >140,000 U.S. European and African American Veterans Yields Novel Risk Loci. Biological Psychiatry 2019, 86: 365-376. PMID: 31151762, PMCID: PMC6919570, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.984.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdditional genome-wide significant lociRisk lociWide association study (GWAS) analysisAssociation studiesGenome-wide significant lociGenome-wide association studiesGenetic correlationsWide association studyNovel risk lociAlcohol-related traitsStrong statistical supportSmoking-related traitsAdditional genomesSignificant lociPancreatic delta cellsChromosome 4Chromosome 11Protein productsChromosome 8Quantitative phenotypesMillion Veteran ProgramVeterans Affairs Million Veteran ProgramLociCell typesChromosome 17
2018
Effect of the GSTM1 gene deletion on glycemic variability, sympatho-vagal balance and arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome, but without diabetes
Iorio A, Ylli D, Polimanti R, Picconi F, Maggio P, Francomano D, Aversa A, Manfellotto D, Fuciarelli M, Frontoni S. Effect of the GSTM1 gene deletion on glycemic variability, sympatho-vagal balance and arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome, but without diabetes. Diabetes Research And Clinical Practice 2018, 138: 158-168. PMID: 29452132, DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2018.02.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProtein kinase regulationGlutathione S-transferase geneCellular detoxification processesKinase regulationInvolvement of GSTRisk lociFunctional variantsGene deletionPutative roleDetoxification processDeletionGenesPolymorphism analysisOxidative stressCrucial roleGene polymorphism analysisGST gene polymorphismsNovel findingsGSTM1 gene deletionLociGSTM1 deletionRoleGSTRegulationPathway
2017
A genome-wide gene-by-trauma interaction study of alcohol misuse in two independent cohorts identifies PRKG1 as a risk locus
Polimanti R, Kaufman J, Zhao H, Kranzler HR, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC, Gelernter J, Stein MB. A genome-wide gene-by-trauma interaction study of alcohol misuse in two independent cohorts identifies PRKG1 as a risk locus. Molecular Psychiatry 2017, 23: 154-160. PMID: 28265120, PMCID: PMC5589475, DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide interaction studyGene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysisOntology enrichment analysisProtein kinase 1Protein regulationSame effect directionCyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase 1Circadian rhythm regulationRisk lociWide geneEnrichment analysisInteraction studiesKinase 1Individual genetic riskPsychiatric geneticsCalcium-activated potassium channelsGenesLociPRKG1Potassium channelsEffect directionRhythm regulationAlcohol use problemsRegulationAlcohol misuse