Imaging genetics of language network functional connectivity reveals links with language-related abilities, dyslexia and handedness

Amelink, J. S.; Postema, M. C.; Kong, X.-Z.; Schijven, D.; Carrion-Castillo, A.; Soheili-Nezhad, S.; Sha, Z.; Molz, B.; Joliot, M.; Fisher, S. E.; Francks, C. E.

doi:10.1101/2023.11.22.568256

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.11.22.568256

Imaging genetics of language network functional connectivity reveals links with language-related abilities, dyslexia and handedness

Amelink, J. S.·Postema, M. C.·Kong, X.-Z.·Schijven, D.·Carrion-Castillo, A.·Soheili-Nezhad, S.·Sha, Z.·Molz, B.·Joliot, M.·Fisher, S. E.·Francks, C. E.

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Abstract

Language is supported by a distributed network of brain regions with a particular contribution from the left hemisphere. A multi-level understanding of this network requires studying its genetic architecture. We used resting-state imaging data from 29,681 participants (UK Biobank) to measure connectivity between 18 left-hemisphere regions involved in multimodal sentence-level processing, as well as their right-hemisphere homotopes, and interhemispheric connections. Multivariate genome-wide association analysis of this total network, based on genetic variants with population frequencies > 1%, identified 14 genomic loci, of which three were also associated with asymmetry of intrahemispheric connectivity. Polygenic dispositions to lower language-related abilities, dyslexia and left-handedness were associated with generally reduced leftward asymmetry of functional connectivity. Exome-wide association analysis based on rare, protein-altering variants (frequencies[≤] 1%) suggested 7 additional genes. These findings shed new light on genetic contributions to language network organization and related behavioural traits.

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Amelink, J. S., Postema, M. C., Kong, X.-Z., Schijven, D., Carrion-Castillo, A., Soheili-Nezhad, S., Sha, Z., Molz, B., Joliot, M., Fisher, S. E., Francks, C. E.. 2023-11-22. Imaging genetics of language network functional connectivity reveals links with language-related abilities, dyslexia and handedness. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.11.22.568256

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