Approved Research

The association between common genetic variants and brain imaging phenotypes inneurological disorders

Lay summary

This project will examine the relationship between the genetic risk factors for common neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and epilepsy, and brain structure and function. Through the different analyses of the project, we aim to determine if alterations in brain structure and function are linked to neurological conditions and if they are related to relevant genetic risk factors that predispose individuals to develop one of these neurological conditions.

This project will likely be completed within 3 years.

We hope the findings of this project will inform us about the underlying causes of these common neurological conditions and help us develop targeted therapies in the future.

Scope extension:

In this study, we aim to explore the link between brain phenotypes and genetic risk variants of common neurological conditions (including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and epilepsy). We will examine the association between brain imaging phenotype and common genetic variants using:

-             A candidate-gene approach

-             A polygenic risk score approach

-             A molecular/biological pathway approach

New Scope:

In addition to including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and epilepsy, we would like to add cerebrovascular disease to the list of neurologic conditions we are aiming to evaluate.