VA Million Veteran Program finds 13,672 genomic risk loci across 2,068 traits in diverse cohort
Researchers analyzed genome wide associations for 2,068 traits in 635,969 participants from the Department of Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program, a longitudinal study of diverse United States Veterans. The systematic analysis identified 13,672 genomic risk loci. Of these, 1,608 reached significance only after including non-European populations. Fine mapping identified causal variants at 6,318 signals across 613 traits. One third of these signals,2,069 in total,were detected in participants from non-European populations. The findings reveal a broadly similar genetic architecture across populations.
Large scale genetic studies that include diverse populations can identify genomic risk loci that remain undetected when only European cohorts are analyzed. The work addresses the longstanding underrepresentation of non-European groups in human genetic research and provides an extensive atlas of genetic associations.
Written by the Genomes desk from the primary source linked above and checked against it. Research use only; not medical advice. Corrections: [email protected].