Karen Sugden

Creating DNAm Algorithms Using the Illumina Methylation Screening Array (MSA)

The paper develops a reproducibility-based framework for creating DNA methylation algorithms on the MSA, showing that stable probe sets can support new biomarkers and transfer of existing ones with improved performance.

Shared genetic architecture of brain age gap across 30 cohorts worldwide

This study identifies a shared genetic factor underlying brain age gaps across 30 cohorts, finding 19 SNPs and associations with health traits.

An Updated Polygenic Index Repository: Expanded Phenotypes, New Cohorts, and Improved Causal Inference

The paper updates a polygenic index repository with more phenotypes, datasets, and improved causal inference methods, enhancing predictive performance and interpretability.

Cross-Tissue Comparison of Epigenetic Aging Clocks in Humans

The paper compares epigenetic aging clocks across different tissue types, finding significant differences in age estimates between oral and blood-based tissues.

An estimate of the longitudinal pace of aging from a single brain scan predicts dementia conversion, morbidity, and mortality

The paper introduces DunedinPACNI, a brain MRI-based aging measure that predicts dementia conversion, morbidity, and mortality.

A comparison of feature selection methodologies and learning algorithms in the development of a DNA methylation-based telomere length estimator

This study compares feature selection methods and machine learning algorithms to develop a DNA methylation-based telomere length estimator, finding that principal component analysis followed by elastic net regression performs best.

Uncovering the Genetic Architecture of Broad Antisocial Behavior through a Genome-Wide Association Study Meta-analysis.

This study identifies genetic variants associated with antisocial behavior through a genome-wide association meta-analysis, finding significant links to FOXP2 and correlations with multiple health and behavioral traits.

Genomic and phenomic insights from an atlas of genetic effects on DNA methylation

The paper identifies genetic variants influencing DNA methylation in blood and shows their associations with complex traits and diseases, but finds limited direct causality.

Genetic Association Study of Childhood Aggression across raters, instruments and age

This study conducts a genome-wide association meta-analysis of childhood aggression across multiple raters, instruments, and ages, identifying genetic correlations with various traits but no genome-wide significant SNPs.

Resource Profile and User Guide of the Polygenic Index Repository

The paper constructs polygenic indexes for 47 phenotypes across 11 datasets and provides a tool to correct errors-in-variables bias when using PGIs as proxies for the additive SNP factor.

Investigating the Genetic Architecture of Non-Cognitive Skills Using GWAS-by-Subtraction

This study identifies 157 genome-wide significant loci associated with non-cognitive contributions to educational attainment, explaining 57% of genetic variance.

DNA methylation signatures of aggression and closely related constructs: A meta-analysis of epigenome-wide studies across the lifespan

This paper identifies DNA methylation sites associated with aggression through a meta-analysis of epigenome-wide studies across different age groups and tissues.

Quantification of the pace of biological aging in humans through a blood test: The DunedinPoAm DNA methylation algorithm

The paper develops a DNA methylation-based blood test, DunedinPoAm, to quantify individual differences in the pace of biological aging and validates its association with aging-related outcomes across multiple studies.

Using DNA from mothers and children to study parental investment in children’s educational attainment

This study examines how maternal and child genetic data relate to parenting and children's educational attainment, finding genetic and environmental interactions.

Genetics & the Geography of Health, Behavior, and Attainment

The paper links neighborhood data with genetic and social outcomes to assess whether neighborhood effects on health and behavior are due to selection or causation.

A Polygenic Score for Higher Educational Attainment is Associated with Larger Brains

The paper finds that a polygenic score for educational attainment is associated with larger brain size and better cognitive test performance, suggesting a genetic link between brain size and intelligence.

Telomere, epigenetic clock, and biomarker-composite quantifications of biological aging: Do they measure the same thing?

This study evaluates seven biological aging measures in middle-aged humans, finding low agreement between them and modest associations with aging-related outcomes.