Research

Preconception biomarkers

Maternal preconception functionally suboptimal status of thiamine could be responsible for child behavioural problems.

Metabolomic biomarkers for childhood executive function

The relationship between higher circulating leucine level with poorer cognitive regulation may be determined by genetic factors and may not be easily amenable to dietary interventions.

Shared genetic basis between childhood obesity and language development

We found a shared genetic basis between obesity and language development rather than a causal effect of obesity on language development. Early-life proteomics provides biological insights.

Genetic risk for insulin resistance and cognitive scores

Our findings suggest that a higher genetic risk for insulin resistance in children was associated with lower cognitive scores in both Asian and European cohorts.

Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease

While inflammatory biomarkers showed evidence for causal associations with inflammatory diseases, evidence was weak that a common inflammatory biomarker affected both inflammatory disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Does sleeping less cause Alzheimer's disease?

Using a bi-directional Mendelian randomisation design, we found evidence supporting a potential causal influence of genetically high risk for Alzheimer's disease on sleep disturbances, but not the other way round.

Phenome-wide association study of cardiac and aortic structure and function

Population-based cardiac and aortic imaging phenotypes can be used to better define cardiovascular disease risks as well as heart-brain health interactions, highlighting new opportunities for studying disease mechanisms and developing image-based biomarkers.

Aortic distensibility and aortic aneurysms

We identified common causal mechanisms relating cerebral small vessel disease and aortic structure and function that could explain the clinically observed relationships between late-life cognitive decline and aortic disease.