Genomic study of brain MRI phenotypes

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Project Description

A major challenge hindering progress in neuropsychiatric medicine is our limited understanding of the genetics underlying the complexity of human brain structure and function. Our project aims to characterize genetic effects on the brain by multimodal imaging using human biobanks with MRI and genotype data. This will provide insight into shared and distinct genetic influences among different brain regions. Building on improved genetic knowledge of the brain, we will determine genetic relationship between brain morphology and neuropsychiatric disorders using statistical genetics tools. We will estimate effects of neuropsychiatric genetic risks and environmental exposures on deviations of MRI phenotypes from normal neurodevelopmental and aging trajectories.