This paper develops a multi-trait polygenic score (mt-PGS) to predict lithium responsiveness in bipolar disorder, finding it improves prediction accuracy compared to single-trait methods.

medRxiv · Jan 5, 2026 · PreprintGenetic & Genomic Medicine

A genome-wide association study identified 10 novel genomic loci associated with intrinsic capacity

Melkamu Bedimo Beyene, Renuka Visvanathan, Robel G. Alemu, Beben Benyamin, Rudrarup Bhattacharjee, Habtamu B. Beyene, Olga Theou, Matteo Cesari, John Beard, Azmeraw T. Amare

This study identifies 10 novel genomic loci associated with intrinsic capacity using GWAS on UK Biobank and CLSA data, revealing genetic correlations with cellular processes and traits related to healthy aging.

The Journals of Gerontology Series A · Sep 5, 2025Peer-reviewedGenetic & Genomic Medicine

Pharmacogenomic scores in psychiatry: Systematic review of existing evidence

Nigussie Tadesse Sharew, Scott Richard Clark, Klaus Oliver Schubert, Azmeraw T. Amare

This paper reviews pharmacogenomic scores in psychiatry, finding most are based on diagnoses/trait variants, with PGSSCZ showing mixed effects on treatment outcomes.

medRxiv · Apr 5, 2024 · PreprintGenetic & Genomic Medicine

The genetic relationship between female reproductive traits and six psychiatric disorders

Guiyan Ni, Azmeraw T. Amare, Xuan Zhou, Natalie T. Mills, Jacob Gratten, Sang Lee

This paper investigates the genetic links between female reproductive traits and six psychiatric disorders using polygenetic risk scores from UK Biobank data.

Scientific Reports · Aug 19, 2019Peer-reviewedGenetics

Polygenic scores for major depressive disorder and depressive symptoms predict response to lithium in patients with bipolar disorder

Azmeraw T. Amare, Klaus Oliver Schubert, Liping Hou, Scott Richard Clark, Sergi Papiol, Micah Cearns, Urs Heilbronner, Franziska Degenhardt, Fasil Tekola Ayele, Yi‐Hsiang Hsu, Tatyana Shekhtman, Mazda Adli, Nirmala Akula, Kazufumi Akiyama, Raffaella Ardau, , Mario Maj

The paper shows that polygenic scores for depression traits predict lithium response in bipolar disorder patients, with lower genetic load linked to better treatment outcomes.

bioRxiv · Oct 26, 2018 · PreprintGenomics

High genetic loading for schizophrenia predicts poor response to lithium in patients with bipolar disorder: A polygenic score and cross-trait genetic analysis

Azmeraw T. Amare, Klaus Oliver Schubert, Liping Hou, Scott Richard Clark, Sergi Papiol, Urs Heilbronner, Franziska Degenhardt, Fasil Tekola Ayele, Yi‐Hsiang Hsu, Tatyana Shekhtman, Mazda Adli, Nirmala Akula, Kazufumi Akiyama, Raffaella Ardau, Bárbara Arias, , Gustavo Turecki

This study finds that a higher genetic risk for schizophrenia is linked to poorer lithium response in bipolar disorder patients, suggesting potential for personalized treatment strategies.

bioRxiv · Nov 11, 2017 · PreprintGenetics

The genetic overlap between mood disorders and cardio-metabolic diseases: A systematic review of genome wide and candidate gene studies

Azmeraw T. Amare, Klaus Oliver Schubert, Sarah Cohen‐Woods, Bernhard Theodor Baune

This paper reviews genetic overlaps between mood disorders and cardio-metabolic diseases, identifying 24 shared genes and pathways involved in both conditions.

bioRxiv · Jun 15, 2017 · PreprintGenomics