Host Genetic Variants Linked to COVID-19 Neurological Complications and Susceptibility in Young Adults-A Preliminary Analysis.

To date, multiple efforts have been made to use genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to untangle the genetic basis for SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility and severe COVID-19. However, data on the genetic-related effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the presence of accompanying and long-term post-COVID-19 neurological symptoms in younger individuals remain absent. We aimed to examine the possible association between SNPs found in a GWAS of COVID-19 outcomes and three phenotypes: SARS-CoV-2 infection, neurological complications during disease progression, and long-term neurological complications in young adults with a mild-to-moderate disease course.

The role of inflammatory system genes in individual differences in nonverbal intelligence.

Nonverbal intelligence represents one of the components of brain cognitive functions, which uses visual images and nonverbal approaches for solving required tasks. Interaction between the nervous and immune systems plays a specif ic role in individual differences in brain cognitive functions. Therefore, the genes encoding pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines are prospective candidate genes in the study of nonverbal intelligence.

The role of the KIBRA and APOE genes in developing spatial abilities in humans.

In the contemporary high-tech society, spatial abilities predict individual life and professional success, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. According to neurobiological hypotheses, individual differences in cognitive abilities may be attributed to the functioning of genes involved in the regulation of neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. In addition, genome-wide association studies identified rs17070145 located in the KIBRA gene, which was associated with individual differences in episodic memory.

AVPR1A main effect and OXTR-by-environment interplay in individual differences in depression level.

Background: Multiple studies of depression indicated a significant role of gene-by-environment interactions; however, they are mainly limited to the examination of modulating effect of recent stressful life events. Other environmental factors occurring at different stages of ante- and postnatal development may affect the association between multiple genes and depression. The study aimed to analyze the main and haplotype-based effect of serotonergic system and HPA-axis gene polymorphisms on depression and to detect gene-by-environment interaction models explaining individual variance in depression in mentally healthy young adults from Russia.

Prediction of breast cancer risk based on profiling with common genetic variants.

Background: Data for multiple common susceptibility alleles for breast cancer may be combined to identify women at different levels of breast cancer risk. Such stratification could guide preventive and screening strategies. However, empirical evidence for genetic risk stratification is lacking.