Browsing by Author "Stapp, Emma K."

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    Epigenetic signatures relating to disease-associated genotypic burden in familial risk of bipolar disorder
    (Springer Nature, 2022-08-03) Hesam-Shariati, Sonia; Overs, Bronwyn J.; Roberts, Gloria; Toma, Claudio; Watkeys, Oliver J.; Green, Melissa J.; Pierce, Kerrie D.; Edenberg, Howard J.; Wilcox, Holly C.; Stapp, Emma K.; McInnis, Melvin G.; Hulvershorn, Leslie A.; Nurnberger, John I.; Schofield, Peter R.; Mitchell, Philip B.; Fullerton, Janice M.; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Environmental factors contribute to risk of bipolar disorder (BD), but how environmental factors impact the development of psychopathology within the context of elevated genetic risk is unknown. We herein sought to identify epigenetic signatures operating in the context of polygenic risk for BD in young people at high familial risk (HR) of BD. Peripheral blood-derived DNA was assayed using Illumina PsychArray, and Methylation-450K or -EPIC BeadChips. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were calculated using summary statistics from recent genome-wide association studies for BD, major depressive disorder (MDD) and cross-disorder (meta-analysis of eight psychiatric disorders). Unrelated HR participants of European ancestry (n = 103) were stratified based on their BD-PRS score within the HR-population distribution, and the top two quintiles (High-BD-PRS; n = 41) compared against the bottom two quintiles (Low-BD-PRS; n = 41). The High-BD-PRS stratum also had higher mean cross-disorder-PRS and MDD-PRS (ANCOVA p = 0.035 and p = 0.024, respectively). We evaluated DNA methylation differences between High-BD-PRS and Low-BD-PRS strata using linear models. One differentially methylated probe (DMP) (cg00933603; p = 3.54 × 10-7) in VARS2, a mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, remained significantly hypomethylated after multiple-testing correction. Overall, BD-PRS appeared to broadly impact epigenetic processes, with 1,183 genes mapped to nominal DMPs (p < 0.05); these displayed convergence with genes previously associated with BD, schizophrenia, chronotype, and risk taking. We tested poly-methylomic epigenetic profiles derived from nominal DMPs in two independent samples (n = 54 and n = 82, respectively), and conducted an exploratory evaluation of the effects of family environment, indexing cohesion and flexibility. This study highlights an important interplay between heritable risk and epigenetic factors, which warrant further exploration.
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    Family environment and polygenic risk in the bipolar high-risk context
    (Wiley, 2023-03-16) Stapp, Emma K.; Fullerton, Janice M.; Musci, Rashelle J.; Zandi, Peter P.; McInnis, Melvin G.; Mitchell, Philip B.; Hulvershorn, Leslie A.; Ghaziuddin, Neera; Roberts, Gloria; Ferrera, Alessandra G.; Nurnberger, John I.; Wilcox, Holly C.; Psychiatry, School of Medicine
    Background: The interaction of polygenic risk (PRS) and environmental effects on development of bipolar disorder (BD) is understudied, as are high-risk offspring perceptions of their family environment (FE). We tested the association of offspring-perceived FE in interaction with BD-PRS on liability for BD in offspring at high or low familial risk for BD. Methods: Offspring of a parent with BD (oBD; n = 266) or no psychiatric disorders (n = 174), aged 12-21 at recruitment, participated in the US and Australia. Empirically-derived profiles of FE classified offspring by their perceived levels of familial cohesion, flexibility, and conflict. Offspring BD-PRS were derived from Psychiatric Genomics Consortium BD-GWAS. Lifetime DSM-IV bipolar disorders were derived from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children. We used a novel stepwise approach for latent class modeling with predictors and distal outcomes. Results: Fifty-two offspring were diagnosed with BD. For those with well-functioning FE (two-thirds of the sample), higher BD-PRS tracked positively with liability for BD. However, for those with high-conflict FEs, the relationship between BD-PRS and liability to BD was negative, with highest risk for BD observed with lower BD-PRS. In exploratory analyses, European-ancestry offspring with BD had elevated history of suicidal ideation in high-conflict FE compared to well-functioning-FE, and of suicide attempt with low-BD-PRS and high-conflict FE. Conclusions: The data suggest that the relationship of BD-PRS and offspring liability for BD differed between well-functioning versus high-conflict FE, potentially in line with a multifactorial liability threshold model and supporting future study of and interventions improving family dynamics.
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    Focal adhesion is associated with lithium response in bipolar disorder: evidence from a network-based multi-omics analysis
    (Springer Nature, 2024) Niemsiri, Vipavee; Rosenthal, Sara Brin; Nievergelt, Caroline M.; Maihofer, Adam X.; Marchetto, Maria C.; Santos, Renata; Shekhtman, Tatyana; Alliey-Rodriguez, Ney; Anand, Amit; Balaraman, Yokesh; Berrettini, Wade H.; Bertram, Holli; Burdick, Katherine E.; Calabrese, Joseph R.; Calkin, Cynthia V.; Conroy, Carla; Coryell, William H.; DeModena, Anna; Eyler, Lisa T.; Feeder, Scott; Fisher, Carrie; Frazier, Nicole; Frye, Mark A.; Gao, Keming; Garnham, Julie; Gershon, Elliot S.; Goes, Fernando S.; Goto, Toyomi; Harrington, Gloria J.; Jakobsen, Petter; Kamali, Masoud; Kelly, Marisa; Leckband, Susan G.; Lohoff, Falk W.; McCarthy, Michael J.; McInnis, Melvin G.; Craig, David; Millett, Caitlin E.; Mondimore, Francis; Morken, Gunnar; Nurnberger, John I.; O'Donovan, Claire; Øedegaard, Ketil J.; Ryan, Kelly; Schinagle, Martha; Shilling, Paul D.; Slaney, Claire; Stapp, Emma K.; Stautland, Andrea; Tarwater, Bruce; Zandi, Peter P.; Alda, Martin; Fisch, Kathleen M.; Gage, Fred H.; Kelsoe, John R.; Psychiatry, School of Medicine
    Lithium (Li) is one of the most effective drugs for treating bipolar disorder (BD), however, there is presently no way to predict response to guide treatment. The aim of this study is to identify functional genes and pathways that distinguish BD Li responders (LR) from BD Li non-responders (NR). An initial Pharmacogenomics of Bipolar Disorder study (PGBD) GWAS of lithium response did not provide any significant results. As a result, we then employed network-based integrative analysis of transcriptomic and genomic data. In transcriptomic study of iPSC-derived neurons, 41 significantly differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified in LR vs NR regardless of lithium exposure. In the PGBD, post-GWAS gene prioritization using the GWA-boosting (GWAB) approach identified 1119 candidate genes. Following DE-derived network propagation, there was a highly significant overlap of genes between the top 500- and top 2000-proximal gene networks and the GWAB gene list (Phypergeometric = 1.28E-09 and 4.10E-18, respectively). Functional enrichment analyses of the top 500 proximal network genes identified focal adhesion and the extracellular matrix (ECM) as the most significant functions. Our findings suggest that the difference between LR and NR was a much greater effect than that of lithium. The direct impact of dysregulation of focal adhesion on axon guidance and neuronal circuits could underpin mechanisms of response to lithium, as well as underlying BD. It also highlights the power of integrative multi-omics analysis of transcriptomic and genomic profiling to gain molecular insights into lithium response in BD.
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    Patterns and predictors of family environment among adolescents at high and low risk for familial bipolar disorder
    (Elsevier, 2019-07) Stapp, Emma K.; Musci, Rashelle J.; Fullerton, Janice M.; Glowinski, Anne L.; McInnis, Melvin; Mitchell, Philip B.; Hulvershorn, Leslie A.; Ghaziuddin, Neera; Roberts, Gloria M. P.; Merikangas, Kathleen R.; Nurnberger, John I., Jr.; Wilcox, Holly C.; Psychiatry, School of Medicine
    Children's perceptions are important to understanding family environment in the bipolar disorder (BD) high-risk context. Our objectives were to empirically derive patterns of offspring-perceived family environment, and to test the association of family environment with maternal or paternal BD accounting for offspring BD and demographic characteristics. Participants aged 12–21 years (266 offspring of a parent with BD, 175 offspring of a parent with no psychiatric history) were recruited in the US and Australia. We modeled family environment using latent profile analysis based on offspring reports on the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, and Home Environment Interview for Children. Parent diagnoses were based on the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies and offspring diagnoses were based on the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children. Latent class regression was used to test associations of diagnosis and family environment. Two-thirds of all offspring perceived well-functioning family environment, characterized by nurturance, flexibility, and low conflict. Two ‘conflict classes’ perceived family environments low in flexibility and cohesion, with substantial separation based on high conflict with the father (High Paternal Conflict), or very high conflict and rigidity and low warmth with the mother (High Maternal Conflict). Maternal BD was associated with offspring perceiving High Maternal Conflict (OR 2.8, p = 0.025). Clinical care and psychosocial supports for mothers with BD should address family functioning, with attention to offspring perceptions of their wellbeing. More research is needed on the effect of paternal BD on offspring and family dynamics.
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    Polygenic Scores and Mood Disorder Onsets in the Context of Family History and Early Psychopathology
    (American Medical Association, 2025-04-01) Freeman, Kathryn; Zwicker, Alyson; Fullerton, Janice M.; Hafeman, Danella M.; van Haren, Neeltje E. M.; Merranko, John; Goldstein, Benjamin I.; Stapp, Emma K.; de la Serna, Elena; Moreno, Dolores; Sugranyes, Gisela; Mas, Sergi; Roberts, Gloria; Toma, Claudio; Schofield, Peter R.; Edenberg, Howard J.; Wilcox, Holly C.; McInnis, Melvin G.; Propper, Lukas; Pavlova, Barbara; Stewart, Samuel A.; Denovan-Wright, Eileen M.; Rouleau, Guy A.; Castro-Fornieles, Josefina; Hillegers, Manon H. J.; Birmaher, Boris; Mitchell, Philip B.; Alda, Martin; Nurnberger, John I.; Uher, Rudolf; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine
    Importance: Bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) aggregate within families, with risk often first manifesting as early psychopathology, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders. Objective: To determine whether polygenic scores (PGS) are associated with mood disorder onset independent of familial high risk for BD (FHR-BD) and early psychopathology. Design, setting, and participants: This cohort study used data from 7 prospective cohorts enriched in FHR-BD from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and the US. Participants with FHR-BD, defined as having at least 1 first-degree relative with BD, were compared with participants without FHR for any mood disorder. Participants were repeatedly assessed with variable follow-up intervals from July 1992 to July 2023. Data were analyzed from August 2023 to August 2024. Exposures: PGS indexed genetic liability for MDD, BD, anxiety, neuroticism, subjective well-being, ADHD, self-regulation, and addiction risk factor. Semistructured diagnostic interviews with relatives established FHR-BD. ADHD or anxiety disorder diagnoses before mood disorder onset constituted early psychopathology. Main outcomes and measures: The outcome of interest, mood disorder onset, was defined as a consensus-confirmed new diagnosis of MDD or BD. Cox regression examined associations of PGS, FHR-BD, ADHD, and anxiety with mood disorder onset. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests evaluated the probability of onset by PGS quartile and familial risk status. Results: A total of 1064 participants (546 [51.3%] female; mean [SD] age at last assessment, 21.7 [5.1] years), including 660 with FHR-BD and 404 without FHR for any mood disorder, were repeatedly assessed for mental disorders. A total of 399 mood disorder onsets occurred over a variable mean (SD) follow-up interval of 6.3 (5.7) years. Multiple PGS were associated with onset after correcting for FHR-BD and early psychopathology, including PGS for ADHD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.34), self-regulation (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.34), neuroticism (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06-1.32), MDD (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.31), addiction risk factor (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04-1.30), anxiety (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02-1.28), BD (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02-1.28), and subjective well-being (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-0.99). High PGS for addiction risk factor, anxiety, BD, and MDD were associated with increased probability of onset in the control group. High PGS for ADHD and self-regulation increased rates of onset among participants with FHR-BD. PGS for self-regulation, ADHD, and addiction risk factors showed stronger associations with onsets of BD than MDD. Conclusions and relevance: In this cohort study, multiple PGS were associated with mood disorder onset independent of family history of BD and premorbid diagnoses of ADHD or anxiety. The association between PGS and mood disorder risk varied depending on family history status.
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    Traumatic Stress Interacts With Bipolar Disorder Genetic Risk to Increase Risk for Suicide Attempts
    (Elsevier, 2017-12) Wilcox, Holly C.; Fullerton, Janice M.; Glowinski, Anne L.; Benke, Kelly; Kamali, Masoud; Hulvershorn, Leslie A.; Stapp, Emma K.; Edenberg, Howard J.; Roberts, Gloria M. P.; Ghaziuddin, Neera; Fisher, Carrie; Brucksch, Christine; Frankland, Andrew; Toma, Claudio; Shaw, Alex D.; Kastelic, Elizabeth; Miller, Leslie; McInnis, Melvin G.; Mitchell, Philip B.; Nurnberger, John I., Jr.; Psychiatry, School of Medicine
    Objective Bipolar disorder (BD) is one of the most heritable psychiatric conditions and is associated with high suicide risk. To explore the reasons for this link, this study examined the interaction between traumatic stress and BD polygenic risk score in relation to suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescent and young adult offspring and relatives of persons with BD (BD-relatives) compared with adolescent and young adult offspring of individuals without psychiatric disorders (controls). Method Data were collected from 4 sites in the United States and 1 site in Australia from 2006 through 2012. Generalized estimating equation models were used to compare rates of ideation, attempts, and NSSI between BD-relatives (n = 307) and controls (n = 166) and to determine the contribution of demographic factors, traumatic stress exposure, lifetime mood or substance (alcohol/drug) use disorders, and BD polygenic risk score. Results After adjusting for demographic characteristics and mood and substance use disorders, BD-relatives were at increased risk for suicidal ideation and attempts but not for NSSI. Independent of BD-relative versus control status, demographic factors, or mood and substance use disorders, exposure to trauma within the past year (including bullying, sexual abuse, and domestic violence) was associated with suicide attempts (p = .014), and BD polygenic risk score was marginally associated with attempts (p = .061). Importantly, the interaction between BD polygenic risk score and traumatic event exposures was significantly associated with attempts, independent of demographics, relative versus control status, and mood and substance use disorders (p = .041). Conclusion BD-relatives are at increased risk for suicide attempts and ideation, especially if they are exposed to trauma and have evidence of increased genetic vulnerability.