Featured Publications
Cross-ancestry meta-analysis of opioid use disorder uncovers novel loci with predominant effects in brain regions associated with addiction
Kember RL, Vickers-Smith R, Xu H, Toikumo S, Niarchou M, Zhou H, Hartwell EE, Crist RC, Rentsch CT, Davis L, Justice A, Sanchez-Roige S, Kampman K, Gelernter J, Kranzler H. Cross-ancestry meta-analysis of opioid use disorder uncovers novel loci with predominant effects in brain regions associated with addiction. Nature Neuroscience 2022, 25: 1279-1287. PMID: 36171425, PMCID: PMC9682545, DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01160-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderGenome-wide association studiesWide significant lociGene expression enrichmentSignificant genetic correlationsCell type groupSignificant lociAssociation studiesExpression enrichmentMillion Veteran ProgramGenetic correlationsUse disordersLociBrain regionsExonic variantsIntronic variantsSubstance use disordersTraitsBiological basisOpioid epidemicPsychiatric disordersVeteran ProgramBrain diseasesTSNARE1FBXW4Epigenome-wide association study of posttraumatic stress disorder identifies novel loci in U.S. military veterans
Montalvo-Ortiz JL, Gelernter J, Cheng Z, Girgenti MJ, Xu K, Zhang X, Gopalan S, Zhou H, Duman RS, Southwick SM, Krystal JH, Pietrzak R. Epigenome-wide association study of posttraumatic stress disorder identifies novel loci in U.S. military veterans. Translational Psychiatry 2022, 12: 65. PMID: 35177594, PMCID: PMC8854688, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01822-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEpigenome-wide association studiesAssociation studiesTranscription regulationCpG sitesGenome-wide association studiesCell type proportionsPosttraumatic stress disorderPotential epigenetic biomarkersSignificant CpG sitesEpigenetic mechanismsDNA methylationNovel lociCell signalingEpigenetic biomarkersMethylation analysisAxonal guidanceNovel molecular biomarkersEPIC BeadChipLifetime posttraumatic stress disorderMilitary veteransPostmortem brain tissueMedial orbitofrontal cortexMolecular biomarkersRegulationU.S. military veteransGenome-wide meta-analysis of alcohol use disorder in East Asians
Zhou H, Kalayasiri R, Sun Y, Nuñez YZ, Deng HW, Chen XD, Justice AC, Kranzler HR, Chang S, Lu L, Shi J, Sanichwankul K, Mutirangura A, Malison RT, Gelernter J. Genome-wide meta-analysis of alcohol use disorder in East Asians. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022, 47: 1791-1797. PMID: 35094024, PMCID: PMC9372033, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01265-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderAlcohol dependenceUse disordersICD-9-CM diagnosisGenome-wide association studiesEast Asian subjectsElectronic health recordsPack yearsLeading causePolygenic risk scoresThai cohortRisk scoreAlcohol consumptionDSM-IVAsian subjectsCohortMillion Veteran Program sampleHealth recordsLarge genome-wide association studiesEast AsiansOngoing recruitmentRisk genesDisordersRisk lociSubjectsGenome-wide association study of smoking trajectory and meta-analysis of smoking status in 842,000 individuals
Xu K, Li B, McGinnis KA, Vickers-Smith R, Dao C, Sun N, Kember RL, Zhou H, Becker WC, Gelernter J, Kranzler HR, Zhao H, Justice AC. Genome-wide association study of smoking trajectory and meta-analysis of smoking status in 842,000 individuals. Nature Communications 2020, 11: 5302. PMID: 33082346, PMCID: PMC7598939, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18489-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesLarge genome-wide association studiesMillion Veteran ProgramAssociation studiesExpression quantitative trait lociQuantitative trait lociChromatin interactionsComplex traitsFunctional annotationTrait lociSequencing ConsortiumDozen genesSignificant lociSmoking phenotypesLociMultiple populationsNew insightsPhenotypeVeteran ProgramGenetic vulnerabilityGenesTraitsAnnotationEuropean AmericansConsortiumGenome-wide association study of alcohol consumption and use disorder in 274,424 individuals from multiple populations
Kranzler HR, Zhou H, Kember RL, Vickers Smith R, Justice AC, Damrauer S, Tsao PS, Klarin D, Baras A, Reid J, Overton J, Rader DJ, Cheng Z, Tate JP, Becker WC, Concato J, Xu K, Polimanti R, Zhao H, Gelernter J. Genome-wide association study of alcohol consumption and use disorder in 274,424 individuals from multiple populations. Nature Communications 2019, 10: 1499. PMID: 30940813, PMCID: PMC6445072, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09480-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesAssociation studiesMillion Veteran Program sampleGenetic correlationsWide significant lociSignificant genetic correlationsPolygenic risk scoresCell type groupSignificant lociHeritable traitEnrichment analysisTraitsMultiple populationsLociPhenotypeProgram samplesGenome-wide association study identifies glutamate ionotropic receptor GRIA4 as a risk gene for comorbid nicotine dependence and major depression
Zhou H, Cheng Z, Bass N, Krystal JH, Farrer LA, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genome-wide association study identifies glutamate ionotropic receptor GRIA4 as a risk gene for comorbid nicotine dependence and major depression. Translational Psychiatry 2018, 8: 208. PMID: 30287806, PMCID: PMC6172277, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0258-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesGenome-wide association study identifiesRisk genesTop risk genesCalcium ion bindingGenomes reference panelFast excitatory synaptic transmissionGenetic risk variantsGenetic basisEnrichment analysisAssociation studiesExome arrayCell adhesionRisk variantsGenesReference panelGenetic riskAMPA-sensitive glutamate receptorsIntronic variantsIon bindingBiological mechanismsConditional analysisGRIA4Excitatory synaptic transmissionSynaptic transmissionGenetic Risk Variants Associated With Comorbid Alcohol Dependence and Major Depression
Zhou H, Polimanti R, Yang BZ, Wang Q, Han S, Sherva R, Nuñez YZ, Zhao H, Farrer LA, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genetic Risk Variants Associated With Comorbid Alcohol Dependence and Major Depression. JAMA Psychiatry 2017, 74: 1234-1241. PMID: 29071344, PMCID: PMC6331050, DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.3275.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAlcoholismBlack or African AmericanComorbidityDepressive Disorder, MajorDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGenetic VariationHumansMaleMiddle AgedMultifactorial InheritanceOrgan SizePutamenSemaphorin-3AUnited StatesWhite PeopleConceptsGenome-wide association studiesGenetic risk variantsNeuropsychiatric traitsAssociation studiesRisk variantsPolygenic risk allelesPolygenic risk scoresGenetic mechanismsGenetic basisAmerican data setMolecular natureTraitsCriterion countsGenetic causePossible genetic causesMD comorbidityRisk allelesComorbid alcohol dependence
2024
T4. RELATIONSHIP OF GENETICALLY-INDEXED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH MENTAL DISORDERS
Galimberti M, Gupta P, Deak J, Dao C, Nitin R, Zhou H, Harrington K, Na P, Topiwala A, Davis L, Gaziano M, Levey D, Stein M, Gelernter J. T4. RELATIONSHIP OF GENETICALLY-INDEXED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH MENTAL DISORDERS. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2024, 87: 157-158. DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.314.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProtective effect of PAMental health traitsMillion Veteran ProgramEffects of PAGenome-wide association studiesPhysical activityLocal genetic correlationAlcohol consumptionPosttraumatic stress disorderSmoking initiationLeisure time PARelationship of PAUse disorderMental health outcomesPsychiatric disordersSelf-reported informationSubstance useAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderGenetic correlation analysisLocal genetic correlation analysisTime PAGenome-wide association study statisticsHealth traitsMR analysisResults PAGenome-wide association study of the common retinal disorder epiretinal membrane: Significant risk loci in each of three American populations
Gelernter J, Levey D, Galimberti M, Harrington K, Zhou H, Adhikari K, Gupta P, Program V, Gaziano J, Eliott D, Stein M. Genome-wide association study of the common retinal disorder epiretinal membrane: Significant risk loci in each of three American populations. Cell Genomics 2024, 4: 100582. PMID: 38870908, PMCID: PMC11228954, DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100582.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesMillion Veteran ProgramRisk lociAssociation studiesTrans-ancestry meta-analysisSignificant risk lociPathway enrichment analysisEpiretinal membraneTrans-ancestryGenome-wideMultiple traitsGenetic associationEnrichment analysisGene expressionEuropean AmericansLoss of visual acuityVeteran ProgramGenetic correlationsLociBiological mechanismsAmerican populationVisual acuityRetinal conditionsControl individualsRetinal surfaceA multi-ancestry genetic study of pain intensity in 598,339 veterans
Toikumo S, Vickers-Smith R, Jinwala Z, Xu H, Saini D, Hartwell E, Pavicic M, Sullivan K, Xu K, Jacobson D, Gelernter J, Rentsch C, Stahl E, Cheatle M, Zhou H, Waxman S, Justice A, Kember R, Kranzler H. A multi-ancestry genetic study of pain intensity in 598,339 veterans. Nature Medicine 2024, 30: 1075-1084. PMID: 38429522, DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02839-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPain intensityChronic painTreat chronic painCalcium channel blockersCross-ancestry meta-analysisGenome-wide association studiesExperience of painSamples of European ancestryPain phenotypesFunctional genomics dataGABAergic neuronsCalcium channelsAnalgesic effectB-blockersDrug groupMillion Veteran ProgramPainSubstance use disordersQuality of lifeDrug repurposing analysisOpioid crisisGenetic architectureCausal genesGenetic lociGenomic dataGenetic contribution to the comorbidity between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders
Koller D, Mitjans M, Kouakou M, Friligkou E, Cabrera-Mendoza B, Deak J, Llonga N, Pathak G, Stiltner B, Løkhammer S, Levey D, Zhou H, Hatoum A, Kember R, Kranzler H, Stein M, Corominas R, Demontis D, Artigas M, Ramos-Quiroga J, Gelernter J, Ribasés M, Cormand B, Polimanti R. Genetic contribution to the comorbidity between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders. Psychiatry Research 2024, 333: 115758. PMID: 38335780, PMCID: PMC11157987, DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115758.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUse disorderGenome-wide association studiesGenomic structural equation modelingCannabis use disorderAlcohol Use Disorders Identification TestAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderAlcohol use disorderProblematic alcohol useSubstance use disordersTwo-sample Mendelian randomization analysisLinkage disequilibrium score regression analysisDisorders Identification TestMendelian randomization analysisAssociated with increased oddsOdds of ADHDOpioid use disorderAttention-deficit/hyperactivityGWAS meta-analysesAlcohol dependenceStructural equation modelingNicotine dependenceInvestigate genetic correlationsADHDPolygenic riskStrength of evidence
2023
Genome-wide association studies and cross-population meta-analyses investigating short and long sleep duration
Austin-Zimmerman I, Levey D, Giannakopoulou O, Deak J, Galimberti M, Adhikari K, Zhou H, Denaxas S, Irizar H, Kuchenbaecker K, McQuillin A, Concato J, Buysse D, Gaziano J, Gottlieb D, Polimanti R, Stein M, Bramon E, Gelernter J. Genome-wide association studies and cross-population meta-analyses investigating short and long sleep duration. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 6059. PMID: 37770476, PMCID: PMC10539313, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41249-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAssociation studiesGenome-wide association studiesGenetic correlationsWide association studyLinkage disequilibrium scorePositive genetic correlationSleep traitsIndependent lociMillion Veteran ProgramTraitsAncestryUK BiobankVeteran ProgramMendelian randomisationLociHeritabilitySNPsPhenotypeEast AsiansSimilar patternCardiometabolic phenotypesGenome-wide association study of antisocial personality disorder diagnostic criteria provides evidence for shared risk factors across disorders
Li W, Zhou H, Thygesen J, Heydtmann M, Smith I, Degenhardt F, Nöthen M, Morgan M, Kranzler H, Gelernter J, Bass N, McQuillin A. Genome-wide association study of antisocial personality disorder diagnostic criteria provides evidence for shared risk factors across disorders. Psychiatric Genetics 2023, 33: 233-242. PMID: 37756443, PMCID: PMC10635348, DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000352.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntisocial personality disorderAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderSubstance use disordersPosttraumatic stress disorderGenome-wide association studiesDeficit hyperactivity disorderDisorder diagnostic criteriaRisk factorsFrontal cortexDiagnostic criteriaUse disordersRisk score analysisAnterior cingulateAlcohol-dependent participantsPsychiatric conditionsSignificant associationBrain regionsPersonality disorder diagnostic criteriaStress disorderAnxiety disordersASPD criteriaHyperactivity disorderPolygenic risk score analysisPersonality disorderScore analysisMulti-trait genome-wide association analyses leveraging alcohol use disorder findings identify novel loci for smoking behaviors in the Million Veteran Program
Cheng Y, Dao C, Zhou H, Li B, Kember R, Toikumo S, Zhao H, Gelernter J, Kranzler H, Justice A, Xu K. Multi-trait genome-wide association analyses leveraging alcohol use disorder findings identify novel loci for smoking behaviors in the Million Veteran Program. Translational Psychiatry 2023, 13: 148. PMID: 37147289, PMCID: PMC10162964, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02409-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle-trait genome-wide association studiesGenome-wide association studiesNovel lociPower of GWASJoint genome-wide association studyGenome-wide significant lociMillion Veteran ProgramGenome-wide associationSubstance use traitsGWAS summary statisticsNovel genetic variantsMulti-trait analysisFunctional annotationUse traitsSignificant lociHeritable traitMultiple lociAssociation studiesColocalization analysisLociPleiotropic effectsMTAgVeteran ProgramGenetic variantsTraits
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 one
2021
Investigation of convergent and divergent genetic influences underlying schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder
Johnson EC, Kapoor M, Hatoum AS, Zhou H, Polimanti R, Wendt FR, Walters RK, Lai D, Kember RL, Hartz S, Meyers JL, Peterson RE, Ripke S, Bigdeli TB, Fanous AH, Pato CN, Pato MT, Goate AM, Kranzler HR, O'Donovan MC, Walters JTR, Gelernter J, Edenberg HJ, Agrawal A. Investigation of convergent and divergent genetic influences underlying schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder. Psychological Medicine 2021, 53: 1196-1204. PMID: 34231451, PMCID: PMC8738774, DOI: 10.1017/s003329172100266x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesGenome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphismsLarge-scale genome-wide association studiesSignificant single nucleotide polymorphismsIndependent genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphismsSignificant genetic correlationsGenomic regionsSingle nucleotide polymorphismsGene expressionGenetic covariancePleiotropic associationsAssociation studiesGenetic correlationsGenetic variantsNucleotide polymorphismsGenetic overlapDisorder-specific effectsAlcohol use disorderGenetic influencesGenesUse disorders
2019
Genome‐wide scan identifies opioid overdose risk locus close to MCOLN1
Cheng Z, Yang B, Zhou H, Nunez Y, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genome‐wide scan identifies opioid overdose risk locus close to MCOLN1. Addiction Biology 2019, 25: e12811. PMID: 31362332, PMCID: PMC7485539, DOI: 10.1111/adb.12811.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesMucolipin-1Expression profilesGenome-wide significant signalsAssociation studiesPost-GWAS analysisWide association studyDrug repositioning analysisCation channel activityFunctional categoriesConnectivity Map databaseDrug targetsRisk genesGenesChannel activityPatatin-like phospholipaseNetwork analysisPNPLA6Significant signalEuropean Americans
2018
Genome‐wide association study of cognitive flexibility assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
Zhang H, Zhou H, Lencz T, Farrer LA, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genome‐wide association study of cognitive flexibility assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics 2018, 177: 511-519. PMID: 30134085, PMCID: PMC6110090, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32642.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesSingle nucleotide polymorphismsAssociation studiesGenome-wide significant associationUbiquitin-specific peptidase 9Top single nucleotide polymorphismsComplex trait analysisEnriched gene setsPolygenic risk score analysisCommon single nucleotide polymorphismsGWS associationsSame effect directionGene setsPopulation variationProtein degradationNongenetic factorsTrait analysisChromosome 15Genetic correlationsRisk score analysisNucleotide polymorphismsEffect directionEuropean-American subjectsGenetic factorsBrain developmentGenome-wide Association Study Identifies a Regulatory Variant of RGMA Associated With Opioid Dependence in European Americans
Cheng Z, Zhou H, Sherva R, Farrer LA, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genome-wide Association Study Identifies a Regulatory Variant of RGMA Associated With Opioid Dependence in European Americans. Biological Psychiatry 2018, 84: 762-770. PMID: 29478698, PMCID: PMC6041180, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.12.016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesAssociation studiesHomologous mouse geneMouse geneAxon guidance proteinRegulatory variantsCoexpression analysisOpioid dependenceTranscript variantsGenetic studiesChromosome 15Guidance proteinsRNA expressionNominal significanceMessenger RNA expressionGenesRepulsive guidance molecule AHigh expressionRGMaRisk allelesChronic morphine injectionDSM-IV diagnosisExpressionNew leadsMorphine injection