Proposal summaries
B1168 - Developing and applying the SITAR method of growth curve analysis for human growth assessment - 19/05/2011
Prof Tim Cole is applying for funding to further develop the SITAR method of growth curve analysis. There are three distinct objectives: to extend the SITAR methodology, to work with collaborators to apply the method to their own existing data, and to develop a library in the R statistical language35 to make the method more accessible to other researchers. The use of ALSPAC data relates to objective 2, and complements work already planned as part of Laura Howe's MRC Fellowship.
B1167 - Oxytocin-Related Predictors of Postpartum Maternal Mood and Mothering - 19/05/2011
Current US birth-care practice is the extensive use of synthetic oxytocin for induction and augmentation of uterine contractions, yet there has been scarce investigationof maternal social behaviour followingsynthetic oxytocin despite the known critical role of oxytocin in supporting positive mood and mothering. The ALSPAC database allows us a unique opportunity to explore relationships betweensynthetic oxytocin(and other measures of the birth experience), oxytocin receptor epigenetics, and postpartum mood, and mothering in a large population study with detailedobstetrical, social, and affective data. ALSPACallows us to study women who were exposed tolow intervention rates (e.g., 14%synthetic oxytocin induction/augmentation, 25% epidural anaesthesia, and 10% caesarean surgery).These data would not be feasible to collect in the US due to today's high intervention rates (e.g., 57% augmentation, 76% epidural anaesthesia, and 34% caesarean).Another potentially important global measure of the birth experience is thelevel of birth-care supporting the normal physiology of birth. This can be quantified by the Optimality Index score, which can be calculated from existing ALSPAC obstetrical data in 8000 women.
ALSPAC also offers the unique prospect of gaining knowledge of potential dosage effects of synthetic oxytocin, andoxytocin receptor epigenetics, in a matched case control of a subset of women, with and without postpartum depression. Depression and dysregulation of the oxytocin system has been found measuring oxytocin genetic variation, but epigenetic variation has not been investigated. A dosage effect from synthetic oxytocin on vole behaviour has been found in one of our team member's lab (Sue Carter). While the ALSPAC dataset currently reports incidence of synthetic oxytocin, we proposeaccessing a subset of participants' medical records to extract synthetic oxytocin dosage during labor and birth. A small feasibility project was conducted in 2010 to identify issues in the methodology of extracting dosage data from ALSPAC records.
An additional strength of utilizing ALSPAC is the elimination of population recruitment issues, thus saving time and fiscal resources. The design of this proposed pilot has been informed by prior publications on ALSPAC and mood disorders, particularly several on depression co-authored by members of our team (Jean Golding and John Davis).1-3
Findings from this grant proposal will inform design of a prospective study to determine whether vulnerable women show changes in OXTR epigenetics before and after differential birth experiences that also affect mood and mothering.
B1166 - Low birthweight and hearing loss - 19/05/2011
Not available
B1164 - Under the Influence the role of parenting in preventing binge-drinking - 19/05/2011
The project, "Under the Influence" aims to identify some of parental techniques and styles that can help prevent alcohol misuse in their offspring. Specifically we are asking the following questions:
1. How does parenting style in the early years (0-5) affect their offspring's alcohol consumption? 2. How does parenting style in the early years (0-5) affect their offspring's attitude to alcohol, and behaviour around alcohol?
3. How does parenting style at the 'age of initiation' affect their offspring's alcohol consumption? 4. How does parenting style at the 'age of initiation' affect their offspring's attitude to alcohol and behaviour around alcohol?
5. How does parental drinking practice affect their offspring's alcohol consumption?
We are also running various regressions on the Birth Cohort Study 1970, however, the ALSPAC includes much richer data in respect of parenting style, and of attitudes to drinking of the cohort members aged 16/17. Therefore it would be a perfect match for investigating the project's core research questions. In particular we would like to use the ALSPAC to answer questions 1, 2 & 5.
B1163 - Cross cohort comparison to explore the causal association between maternal age and perinatal outcomes and later child outcomes IQ educational attainment behaviours risk taking - 19/05/2011
Aims and objectives
The aim is to use a cross-cohort comparison between Pelotas and ALSPAC to examine the causal association of maternal age with adverse perinatal and later offspring outcomes. Specific objectives are:
Compare the magnitudes of association of SEP with maternal age, using relative indices of inequalities, between the four cohorts: threePelotascohorts and ALSPAC.
- Compare the magnitudes of association of maternal age with birth weight and gestational age between the four cohorts: threePelotascohorts and ALSPAC.
- Compare the magnitudes of association of maternal age with IQ and educational attainment between the four cohorts: three Pelotas cohorts and ALSPAC
- Compare the magnitudes of association of maternal age with behavioural problems: three Pelotas cohorts and ALSPAC
- Compare the magnitudes of association of maternal age with smoking and alcohol initiation and use between the four cohorts: three Pelotas cohorts and ALSPAC
B1161 - The genetic epidemiology of copy number variability in the Salivary amylase gene and its role in childhood diet and health - 12/05/2011
Summary
This study will form part of a three project portfolio which makes up the training based rotation year in the 4 year Welcome Trust PhD studentships. These are 10 week projects which are completed to an assessment criterion of publication, presentation, poster or report.
This project will aim to determine a possible association between the copy number of salivary amylase in the ALSPAC cohort of children and various health outcomes.
B1160 - Sexual Activity in Adolescence - 12/05/2011
This project is a continuation of research previously carried out using data from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) 2000. This research identified statistically significant associations between early sexual debut and risky or non-normative sexual behaviour later into adulthood (aged up to 29). Those respondents whose sexual debut occurred before the age of 16 had increased odds of engaging in certain risky or non-normative sexual activities later in life. This association maintained significance with the addition of potential confounders. This PhD aims to explore this phenomenon further.
An essential component of this research is to identity what factors influence contemporary young persons' engagement in sexual activities early on in life. While existing research provides evidence of socio-psychological and economic predictors (ranging from personality type, to family structure, parenting and enjoyment of school) such research in Britain is limited, particularly that of a longitudinal nature examining the multitude of influences which may cause, interact and feedback on one another. The majority of British studies in this topic area rely on cross-sectional data and concentrate on only a few predictors. Given the older age and the subject coverage of the British birth cohorts, longitudinal data with the potential to examine contemporary teenagers' trajectories into their sexual live is essentially non-existent, with the exception of the ALSPAC cohort.
Analyses will be carried out separately for males and females, so allowing identification of gender differences. Rather than stopping at the identification risk factors, further structural equation modelling and pathway analysis will be carried out in an effort to identify mediating factors. The longitudinal nature of the data lends itself particularly well to pathway analysis; once theoretical mediators are identified from the literature they can be analysed in chronological order.
In addition to the focus on age at sexual debut, this project also seeks to explore the concept of 'sexual competence' as defined by Wellings et al., 2001 as a sexual encounter characterised by the absence of duress and regret, autonomy of decision, and use of a reliable method of contraception. A similar composite measure as that used by Wellings et al can be constructed using ALSPAC data. This measure will undergo critical review in order to establish its validity before it is included in final analyses. Latent class analysis of sexual competence at each time point when the 'Romantic Relations' questions were completed will allow the exploration of how sexual competence changes or develops over time; this will of course be limited by how many people have actually begun engaging in sexual activity at a young age and will be subject to censoring. Using latent class analysis in this way will allow the identification of distinct trajectories of sexual competence, which can then be analysed against the relevant predictors.
Attention will also be paid to other 'risky' behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use alongside sexual behaviour. The clustering of a variety of risk behaviours within certain individuals has been reported previously. The record of these behaviours in the ALSPAC cohort at different ages lends itself well for the exploration of behavioural trajectories; examining the temporal relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use and sexual activities in adolescence.
This project would seek to use the breadth of data available in ALSPAC which pertains to the influences on development of the children under study. Broadly, this would include family factors (such as structure, social support and parenting), school factors (such as school ethos, support from teachers, enjoyment of school, aspirations), personality measures (such as impulsivity, sensation-seeking and locus of control), peer and friendship factors and other risk behaviours (such as smoking, alcohol, drugs). The availability of such measures at different points throughout the life course is hugely valuable for establishing temporality, in addition to identifying whether the effect of such influences differ according to the age at which the child was exposed to them.
B1159 - Evaluation of shared genetic determinantsfor chronic inflammatory disorders identifies novel susceptibility variants for eczema - 12/05/2011
Project outline:
The aim of this study is to identify genetic determinants of eczema.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for complex human diseases have uncovered a large number
of common genetic variants conferring moderate to low disease risk. Unfortunately, large samples sizes
are needed to detect these low-risk variants at genome-wide significance threshold required in a study
testing a large number of markers (for example 0.05 / 1 million tests = P less than 5 x10-8). Therefore, a major
challenge in the GWAS era remains the identification of true risk factors among the
B1158 - Impact of TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 gene cluster on smoking behaviour impulsivity and reward in adolescence - 12/05/2011
Project outline:
Impact of TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 gene-cluster on smoking behaviour, impulsivity, and reward in adolescence.
Adolescence is a critical period for smoking initiation (1). Approximately 80-90% of adult-smokers initiate use before age 18 years (2). Early initiation of tobacco use is associated with increased risk of developing long lasting nicotine and other drug dependencies(3). Genetic factors are known to influence risk of initiating and persisting in smoking(4). However, the specific genes mediating this vulnerability are largely unknown. In addition, most of the genetic studies performed so far on smoking have focused on adult and little is known about genetic factors moderating vulnerability to smoking in adolescence (5). Finally little is known about the neurobiological mechanismsunderlying nicotine addiction in youth.
B1155 - Assessing methylome changes across adolescence in gender-related switch of asthma - 05/05/2011
ALSPAC is one of a very few cohorts with longitudinal assessment of asthma and allergy phenotypes that has data before and after puberty coupled with samples for DNA taken before and after puberty. The application has previously been submitted to the NIH proposing to utilise samples from the 1989 Isle of Wight birth cohort alone. Utilisation of 1000 ALSPAC samples and data will enable a 2/3rds increase in sample size over the IoW cohort and significantly increase the power of the proposed analyses (the main criticism of the previous application). In addition the similar population characteristics (predominately UK Caucasian) including time frame (cojort recruitment within 3 years of each other ensuring similar environmental exposure changes over time at the population level) make ALSPAC an ideal match to the IoW cohort.
B1154 - Prenatal tobacco exposure child internalizing and the potential mediating role of attention bias and neurocognitive outcomes investigations using genetically-informed data from ALSPAC - 05/05/2011
Maternal substance use during pregnancy is highly correlated with serious negative neurodevelopmental fetal and childhood/adolescent outcomes. Research has established maternal tobacco and alcohol use as having the most profound effect on children and adolescents, although the use of other substances such as cannabis (Fried, 2002) and cocaine has also been studied (Huizink & Mulder, 2006). Up to this point, the focus of research on maternal smoking and drinking during pregnancy has primarily been on externalizing and conduct/behavioral outcomes in the child (Fried et al., 1997; Streissguth et al., 1984; Millberger et al., 1996; Fergusson et al., 1993; Knopik, 2009; Knopik et al., 2005; Wakschlag et al., 1997; Weitzman et al., 1992; Rantakallio et al., 1992), including ADHD (Huizink & Mulder, 2006), oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder (Fergusson et al., 1998), and later substance abuse. However, findings from recent research have suggested a potential relationship between prenatal nicotine and alcohol exposure and internalizing problems caused by disruptions in neurobehavioral and cognitive development, potentially resulting in depression, generalized anxiety, impaired memory function, lower scores on arithmetic tasks (Batstra et al., 2003) deficits in verbal learning (Richardson et al., 2002; Cornelius et al., 2001), auditory, and visual-perceptual processing (Fried, 2002), as well as IQ decrements (Streissguth et al., 1998, 1990) and slower information processing speeds (Huizink & Mulder, 2006). Evidence also indicates that these adverse effects may persist into early and late adolescence (Wakschlag et al., 1997), resulting in subsequent impaired executive functioning (Huizink & Mulder, 2006), increased incidence of substance abuse (particularly smoking) (Ernst et al., 2001) or a predisposition to early onset of smoking in offspring (after intrauterine exposure to heavy smoking) (Huizink & Mulder, 2006; Ernst et al., 2001; Kandler et al., 1994; Cornelius et al., 2000; Buka et al., 2003). It is still unclear, however, whether these results provide sufficient evidence to suggest a cause-and-effect relationship or if the association is confounded by variables such as social background, child-rearing practices, maternal and family characteristics (Fergusson et al., 1998), or genetic factors.
B1032 - Modifiable early life determinant of adolescent NAFLD and its association with metabolic and vascular traits - 01/05/2011
Funds have already been obtained to complete 3500 ultrasound scans of the liver to obtain parameters for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) at the 17+ clinic and also to complete assays for biomarkers for NAFLD, including ALT, AST, GGT, total bilirubin, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), fasting insulin, alpha 2 macroglobin and haptoglobin, on bloods taken at both the 15+ (N=3500) and the 17+ clinics (N=3500) [DA Lawlor PI MRC grant]. Funds to do conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography (and obtain detailed measures of cardiac structure and function) [GRACE; BHF funded PI A Hughes], to measure carotid IMT, heart rate variability [BHF grant PI J Deanfield], & central and 24-hour blood pressure [ELBA; Wellcome Trust PI A Hughes] in the 17+ clinic have also been secured. In previous proposals we (DA Lawlor & A Fraser) requested and were given permission to examine early life determinants of NAFLD and the relationship between NAFLD and insulin resistance (objectives 1 and 2 below). Here we request permission to complete additional analyses concerned with the association of NAFLD with vascular outcomes in ALSPAC (objectives 3 & 4 below). We intend to submit a project grant to the BHF to fund a statistician/epidemiologist to complete all of the objectives listed below.
In adults there is increasing evidence linking NAFLD to increased cardiovascular morbidity (CVD) and mortality but the nature of this association, i.e. whether common causes such as obesity, physical inactivity and insulin resistance explain this association or whether NAFLD is a risk factor for CVD above and beyond other risk factors remains unclear (Targher, Diabetologia; 2008). In adolescents there is evidence that NAFLD is increasing in prevalence in Europe and other developed countries, and that NAFLD is associated with carotid IMT (Demircioglu, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr; 2008 and Pacifico, Pediatr Res; 2008), dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance (Schwimmer, Circulation; 2008 and Loomba. Hepatology; 2009). However, the current state of art regarding the association of NAFLD with vascular measures in adolescents is based largely on clinical studies, with relatively small sample sizes and that use cross-sectional or retrospective case control study designs. Therefore there is an important need for determining the relation of NAFLD with cardiovascular measures in large population based prospective studies of adolescents. It has also been argued that studying NAFLD in pediatric populations will lead to better understanding of disease mechanisms due to the absence of years of lifestyle exacerbating factors, comorbidities and attempted therapies present in adult populations (Karpen, Hepatology; 2008).
The specific onbjectives of the grant application to the BHF are:
1. To examine associations of maternal intrauterine charateristics, change in adiposity from birth to age 15, diet from infancy to age 15 and objectively assessed physical activity from 9 to 15 with ultrasound determined NAFLD at age 17+, and with biomarker determined NAFLD at ages 15+ and 17+.
2. To examine the interrelationships between dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and NAFLD in adolescence.
3. To examine the cross sectional associations of ultrasound and biomarker diagnosed NAFLD with vascular measurements from the 17+ clinic. These would include blood pressure (including 24-hour blood pressure on a sub-sample), carotid IMT, heart rate variability and measures of cardiac structure and functioned obtained from conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography.
4. To study the prospective association of biomarker diagnosed NAFLD (at 15+) (the outcome of our MRC grant G0801456) with vascular measures at 17+ (as detailed in objective 3 above).
5. To evaluate and compare the performance of different biomarker prediction models of NAFLD (models including only commonly used, inexpensive assays and those including more expensive less commonly preformed measures) as predictors of variation in vascular measures at 17+.
As noted above, objectives 1and 2 already have Executive approval from a previous proposal from Debbie Lawlor. Objectives 3-5 are new to this proposal
B1153 - Traffic related air pollution and the development of childhood asthma - 28/04/2011
"Traffic-related air pollution as a risk factor for the development of childhood asthma"
This project, funded by AllerGen NCE, will bring together data on air pollution, and genetic and disease information from existing studies done in Canada, England, The Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden. (See listing below) Data from these studies (all of which have measured the development of asthma in children from birth) will be analysed together to address the question: Does exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) increase the risk of incident asthma in children? Data from these existing studies will provide important information that can be useful to develop preventive strategies related to childhood asthma and potentially to develop treatment approaches focused on a particularly vulnerable population, children with genetic profiles conferring particular risk.
B1152 - Meta- analysis of GWAS on educational attainment - 28/04/2011
Not available
B1151 - Long-term effects of medication for ADHD - 21/04/2011
Project outline:
Research Questions
1) What are the long-term physical and mental health effects ofmedication treatment for ADHD?
2)Does medication treatment for ADHDhave an impact onsocial, behavioural and educational functioning in adolescence?
3) For children meeting criteria for ADHD at age 7 years, which factors best predict persistence of ADHD at age 15 years?
4) What are the prevalence and correlates of apparent 'new' or late onset presentations of ADHD after the age of 7 years?
B1148 - Genome-wide association of mothers genotype on offspring characteristics - 21/04/2011
(No outline provided).
B1143 - Genome-wide association of melanocytic naevi - 21/04/2011
A high melanocytic nevi count is the strongest known risk factor for cutaneous melanoma.Understanding the genetic bases of nevus formation is therefore an important step in understanding melanoma etiology. We propose a genome-wide association study of melanocytic nevi. Genome-wide association results will be combined with similar results from the Queensland Institute of Medical Researchand from Twins UK.
B1150 - Genome-wide meta-analyses of leptin and leptin to adiponectin ratio - 14/04/2011
Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone of which the circulating levels correlate closely with body fat. Leptin acts as a chronic signal to 'inform' the brain about the stored body fat and is involved in the regulation of long-term energy homeostasis. GWAS of leptin may discover new loci predisposing to obesity and related traits.
Previous attempts to identify genetic signals for insulin resistance have had limited success and the majority of type 2 diabetes-associated loci established to date are associated with beta-cell function. Leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (LAR) has recently emerged as a useful measure of insulin resistance. A GWAS of LAR may discover new loci associated with insulin resistance, in particular those which have links to adipocyte function.
Inclusion of ALSPAC data will improve our power to detect loci associated with leptin and LAR. For both of the above traits, if novel associations are identified, inclusion of ALSPAC data will also allow us to investigate the effects of these SNPS on the trait in children to establish of they operate in the same manner.
B1144 - The Birth Experience and Oxytocin Pathways to Postpartum Depression - 14/04/2011
The specific aim is to explore potential relationships between synOT, birth/postbirth factors and postpartum depressive symptoms, while controlling for covariates (Fig 1).
H1: in 8000 cases, less optimal birth factors will predict elevated postpartum depressive symptoms at two months, and the negative influence will be lessened by more optimal postbirth factors.
H2: in a matched subset of postpartum women with or without elevated depressive symptoms, increased synOT dosage will predict elevated postpartum depressive symptoms at two months, and the negative influence will be lessened by more optimal birth and postbirth factors.
Our long term goal is to promote optimal birth experiences (birth-care that supports normal physiology and a woman's positive perception) that enhance postpartum maternal mood and healthy mother-infant interaction, thus supporting infant development.37
Collaborators include Aleeca Bell PhD, expert in midwifery, Jean Golding PhD, expert in perinatal epidemiology; John Davis PhD, neurobehavioral expert in psychiatric disorders; Sue Carter PhD, neurobehavioral expert in oxytocin; and Leah Rubin PhD, methods and statistical analysis expert.
B1142 - Cysteine in Relation to Obesity Genotypes and related Phenotypes in Alspac Children - 07/04/2011
Obesity is associated with elevation of circulating levels of several amino acids [1], but the mechanism of this elevation is unclear. Type of dietary protein influences risk of obesity [2], suggesting that specific amino acids could contribute to regulating weight gain. Plasma concentrations of cysteine (tCys), but not of other sulfur amino acids, correlate strongly with BMI [3, 4] fat mass [5], and odds of obesity [4] in men and women. Increase or decrease of tCys over 6 years is associated with change of BMI in the same direction [6].
Massive weight loss in bariatric surgery patients had minimal effects on tCys [7], suggesting a direction of causality from tCys to BMI. Rodent studies demonstrate that cysteine is a powerful modulator of adiposity and glucose, lipid and energy metabolism [8, 9]. Collectively, evidence shows that cysteine may be a modifiable, hitherto unrecognized risk factor for obesity [10].
Preliminary data shows that tCys is strongly associated with adiposity in overweight children. There is no data on association of tCys with obesity phenotypes in a general childhood population, or with obesity genotypes.