Complex Genetic Dependencies Among Growth and Neurological Phenotypes in Healthy Children: Towards Deciphering Developmental Mechanisms

The study conducted under the GUSTO program investigated genetic dependencies among growth and neurological phenotypes in healthy children, identifying connections between genetic variants and phenotypes using information theory-based methods. The research highlighted pleiotropic effects of genetic variants, particularly those expressed in the brain, such as RAB11FIP4, MTMR7, and PLD5, as well as DNMT1 in the placenta, and growth-related genes PPP1R12B and DMD. Although the exact mechanisms were not deciphered, the study provided a framework for further exploration of fetal and early childhood development, suggesting a complex interplay of genetic factors influencing these processes.