Resumen de Analytical strategies in imaging genetics: assessment of potential risk factors for neurodevelopmental domains
Imaging Genetics (IG) aims to test how genetic information influences brain structure and function, cognitive processes and complex neurodevelopmental domains, combining magnetic resonance imaging-based brain features and genetic data from the same individual. IG studies represent an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the biological mechanisms of neurodevelopmental domains and complex brain disorders.
Most studies focus on individual correlation and association tests between a subset of genetic variants (usually single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) and a single measurement of the brain. Despite the great success of univariate approaches, given the current focus of imaging genetic studies in which genome-wide, whole-brain studies should be analyzed, the development of novel statistical methods becomes crucial.
The main aim of this thesis consists of investigating genetic determinants of structural brain change, which in turn affect neurodevelopmental domains. We propose the application and development of statistical strategies to improve the assessment of significant relationships associated with neurodevelopmental domains. Specifically, we focus our research efforts on understanding what genomic changes in the cerebral structure allow improvements in the assessment of risk factors associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder domains, and related cognitive processes such as attention function.
