Abdel Abdellaoui
@dr-appie.bsky.social
Complex Trait Genetics | Population Genetics | Evolutionary Genetics
https://scholar.google.nl/citations?user=hsyseKEAAAAJ&hl=en
https://scholar.google.nl/citations?user=hsyseKEAAAAJ&hl=en
One for the office and one for home
November 16, 2025 at 6:31 PM
One for the office and one for home
Nice commentary by @fctropf.bsky.social reflecting on our study on not having sex: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
(for full study, see quoted tweet below)
(for full study, see quoted tweet below)
October 28, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Nice commentary by @fctropf.bsky.social reflecting on our study on not having sex: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
(for full study, see quoted tweet below)
(for full study, see quoted tweet below)
Sexlessness is relevant to wellbeing and evolution. But it’s also a complex behavioral trait: its genetic associations trace back to many other traits and environments.
The associations we find are correlational and likely to be culture-specific, so more research is needed.
The associations we find are correlational and likely to be culture-specific, so more research is needed.
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Sexlessness is relevant to wellbeing and evolution. But it’s also a complex behavioral trait: its genetic associations trace back to many other traits and environments.
The associations we find are correlational and likely to be culture-specific, so more research is needed.
The associations we find are correlational and likely to be culture-specific, so more research is needed.
Genes linked to sexlessness overlap with genes associated with:
- Higher education & IQ
- Less substance use
- Higher autism & anorexia risk
- Lower ADHD, anxiety, depression & PTSD risk
- Higher education & IQ
- Less substance use
- Higher autism & anorexia risk
- Lower ADHD, anxiety, depression & PTSD risk
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Genes linked to sexlessness overlap with genes associated with:
- Higher education & IQ
- Less substance use
- Higher autism & anorexia risk
- Lower ADHD, anxiety, depression & PTSD risk
- Higher education & IQ
- Less substance use
- Higher autism & anorexia risk
- Lower ADHD, anxiety, depression & PTSD risk
Thousands of genetic variants with very tiny effects together explain ~15% of variation. The genetic correlation between men and women is .56.
Ancient DNA shows an allele significantly associated with sexlessness declined over 12,000 years, consistent with natural selection.
Ancient DNA shows an allele significantly associated with sexlessness declined over 12,000 years, consistent with natural selection.
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thousands of genetic variants with very tiny effects together explain ~15% of variation. The genetic correlation between men and women is .56.
Ancient DNA shows an allele significantly associated with sexlessness declined over 12,000 years, consistent with natural selection.
Ancient DNA shows an allele significantly associated with sexlessness declined over 12,000 years, consistent with natural selection.
Where you live matters too.
Men in regions with fewer women were more likely to be sexless.
Sexlessness was also more common in regions with higher income inequality.
Men in regions with fewer women were more likely to be sexless.
Sexlessness was also more common in regions with higher income inequality.
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Where you live matters too.
Men in regions with fewer women were more likely to be sexless.
Sexlessness was also more common in regions with higher income inequality.
Men in regions with fewer women were more likely to be sexless.
Sexlessness was also more common in regions with higher income inequality.
Sexless individuals reported:
- More loneliness, nervousness, unhappiness
- Fewer close relationships & social connections
- Less alcohol & drug use
Patterns differed by sex: for men, physical strength, income, and social connection mattered more.
- More loneliness, nervousness, unhappiness
- Fewer close relationships & social connections
- Less alcohol & drug use
Patterns differed by sex: for men, physical strength, income, and social connection mattered more.
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Sexless individuals reported:
- More loneliness, nervousness, unhappiness
- Fewer close relationships & social connections
- Less alcohol & drug use
Patterns differed by sex: for men, physical strength, income, and social connection mattered more.
- More loneliness, nervousness, unhappiness
- Fewer close relationships & social connections
- Less alcohol & drug use
Patterns differed by sex: for men, physical strength, income, and social connection mattered more.
Sex is central to human wellbeing.
~1% of people never have sex. While some people simply don’t want sex, for others, no partner can mean loneliness, lower wellbeing, or even economic disadvantage.
No sex is also interesting for genetics as it is an evolutionary “dead end”.
~1% of people never have sex. While some people simply don’t want sex, for others, no partner can mean loneliness, lower wellbeing, or even economic disadvantage.
No sex is also interesting for genetics as it is an evolutionary “dead end”.
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Sex is central to human wellbeing.
~1% of people never have sex. While some people simply don’t want sex, for others, no partner can mean loneliness, lower wellbeing, or even economic disadvantage.
No sex is also interesting for genetics as it is an evolutionary “dead end”.
~1% of people never have sex. While some people simply don’t want sex, for others, no partner can mean loneliness, lower wellbeing, or even economic disadvantage.
No sex is also interesting for genetics as it is an evolutionary “dead end”.
The largest study on late life virginity, based on >400k individuals, out now in @pnas.org
Open access link: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Shoutout to shared first author @laurawesseldijk.bsky.social ❤️
Thread below 👇🏽
Open access link: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Shoutout to shared first author @laurawesseldijk.bsky.social ❤️
Thread below 👇🏽
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The largest study on late life virginity, based on >400k individuals, out now in @pnas.org
Open access link: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Shoutout to shared first author @laurawesseldijk.bsky.social ❤️
Thread below 👇🏽
Open access link: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Shoutout to shared first author @laurawesseldijk.bsky.social ❤️
Thread below 👇🏽
I'm in London in a couple of weeks giving a special lecture for the London Genetics Network @ldngenenet.bsky.social
The event is open to members of the London Genetics Network, who can sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgn-specia...
The event is open to members of the London Genetics Network, who can sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgn-specia...
June 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I'm in London in a couple of weeks giving a special lecture for the London Genetics Network @ldngenenet.bsky.social
The event is open to members of the London Genetics Network, who can sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgn-specia...
The event is open to members of the London Genetics Network, who can sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgn-specia...
By expanding the dataset of fluid intelligence scores, we show that imputation can reveal biology that would otherwise be missed, especially for rare variant analyses.
A general summary & FAQ with accessible explanations are available in the Supplement: www.medrxiv.org/content/medr...
A general summary & FAQ with accessible explanations are available in the Supplement: www.medrxiv.org/content/medr...
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
By expanding the dataset of fluid intelligence scores, we show that imputation can reveal biology that would otherwise be missed, especially for rare variant analyses.
A general summary & FAQ with accessible explanations are available in the Supplement: www.medrxiv.org/content/medr...
A general summary & FAQ with accessible explanations are available in the Supplement: www.medrxiv.org/content/medr...
Many of the rare variants influence cognition even in people without a clinical diagnosis. This supports the idea that neurodevelopmental disorder genes often act along a spectrum, and can influence cognitive function below diagnostic thresholds.
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Many of the rare variants influence cognition even in people without a clinical diagnosis. This supports the idea that neurodevelopmental disorder genes often act along a spectrum, and can influence cognitive function below diagnostic thresholds.
Looking at sequencing data, rare variant analyses now identify 26 genes (up from 5) where rare damaging variants affect cognition. This includes 14 well-established neurodevelopmental disorder genes and 8 not previously associated with cognition or neurodevelopmental disorder.
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Looking at sequencing data, rare variant analyses now identify 26 genes (up from 5) where rare damaging variants affect cognition. This includes 14 well-established neurodevelopmental disorder genes and 8 not previously associated with cognition or neurodevelopmental disorder.
We used within-family GWAS and non-transmitted allele tests to show our imputed phenotype reduces ascertainment bias, pushing the correlation between direct genetic effects and the non-transmitted coefficients to 0.
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
We used within-family GWAS and non-transmitted allele tests to show our imputed phenotype reduces ascertainment bias, pushing the correlation between direct genetic effects and the non-transmitted coefficients to 0.
The imputed scores closely matched the genetic architecture of measured scores. Combining measured and imputed scores allowed us to run the largest GWAS of fluid intelligence to date: N = 490,934; SNPs: 385 → 608; Prediction accuracy (including within-family): +15%
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
The imputed scores closely matched the genetic architecture of measured scores. Combining measured and imputed scores allowed us to run the largest GWAS of fluid intelligence to date: N = 490,934; SNPs: 385 → 608; Prediction accuracy (including within-family): +15%
~40% of UK Biobank participants (N~170k) never completed the fluid intelligence test, limiting power of previous GWASs and introducing bias. We addressed this by imputing missing scores using a wide range of correlated measurements, including health, behavior, and SES outcomes.
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
~40% of UK Biobank participants (N~170k) never completed the fluid intelligence test, limiting power of previous GWASs and introducing bias. We addressed this by imputing missing scores using a wide range of correlated measurements, including health, behavior, and SES outcomes.
For additional context, we’ve written a lay summary and FAQ that explain the study and how the results can and can’t be used or interpreted: www.medrxiv.org/content/medr...
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
For additional context, we’ve written a lay summary and FAQ that explain the study and how the results can and can’t be used or interpreted: www.medrxiv.org/content/medr...
Studying the genetics of intelligence measures can help us understand the neurobiology of cognition and neurodevelopmental conditions 🧬🧠
We estimated missing intelligence test scores in @ukbiobank.bsky.social to reduce bias and boost power.
Preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread 👇
We estimated missing intelligence test scores in @ukbiobank.bsky.social to reduce bias and boost power.
Preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread 👇
June 21, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Studying the genetics of intelligence measures can help us understand the neurobiology of cognition and neurodevelopmental conditions 🧬🧠
We estimated missing intelligence test scores in @ukbiobank.bsky.social to reduce bias and boost power.
Preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread 👇
We estimated missing intelligence test scores in @ukbiobank.bsky.social to reduce bias and boost power.
Preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread 👇
It makes me happy to see the artwork from @lizahaart.bsky.social featured on the front page of @nathumbehav.nature.com 😍
www.nature.com/nathumbehav/
www.nature.com/nathumbehav/
June 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It makes me happy to see the artwork from @lizahaart.bsky.social featured on the front page of @nathumbehav.nature.com 😍
www.nature.com/nathumbehav/
www.nature.com/nathumbehav/
Examining the sensitivity for environmental influences by conducting a GWAS on differences between identical twins - very clever design!
Out now in @nathumbehav.nature.com : www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Out now in @nathumbehav.nature.com : www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Examining the sensitivity for environmental influences by conducting a GWAS on differences between identical twins - very clever design!
Out now in @nathumbehav.nature.com : www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Out now in @nathumbehav.nature.com : www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Check out our new OCD GWAS (53,660 cases and 2,044,417 controls) in @natgenet.nature.com 🧬🧠
Genetic risk was associated with excitatory neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. There was much genetic overlap with anxiety, depression, and anorexia.
Open access: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Genetic risk was associated with excitatory neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. There was much genetic overlap with anxiety, depression, and anorexia.
Open access: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
May 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Check out our new OCD GWAS (53,660 cases and 2,044,417 controls) in @natgenet.nature.com 🧬🧠
Genetic risk was associated with excitatory neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. There was much genetic overlap with anxiety, depression, and anorexia.
Open access: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Genetic risk was associated with excitatory neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. There was much genetic overlap with anxiety, depression, and anorexia.
Open access: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This @parool.nl interview came out on the same day my new son was born :)
It's about our new @nathumbehav.nature.com paper on SES and genetics, summarized in the thread quoted below.
Here is an English translation of the interview: drive.google.com/file/d/11mrY...
It's about our new @nathumbehav.nature.com paper on SES and genetics, summarized in the thread quoted below.
Here is an English translation of the interview: drive.google.com/file/d/11mrY...
April 25, 2025 at 12:47 PM
This @parool.nl interview came out on the same day my new son was born :)
It's about our new @nathumbehav.nature.com paper on SES and genetics, summarized in the thread quoted below.
Here is an English translation of the interview: drive.google.com/file/d/11mrY...
It's about our new @nathumbehav.nature.com paper on SES and genetics, summarized in the thread quoted below.
Here is an English translation of the interview: drive.google.com/file/d/11mrY...
If we take regional averages, genes associated with education predict height better than genes associated with height. Why? On a regional level, education-associated genes pick up environmental differences between richer and poorer neighborhoods 🧬💰
From www.nature.com/articles/s41...
From www.nature.com/articles/s41...
April 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
If we take regional averages, genes associated with education predict height better than genes associated with height. Why? On a regional level, education-associated genes pick up environmental differences between richer and poorer neighborhoods 🧬💰
From www.nature.com/articles/s41...
From www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Four papers, one story line. GWAS signals carry traces of both biology and society 🧬🌇
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
April 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Four papers, one story line. GWAS signals carry traces of both biology and society 🧬🌇
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- www.nature.com/articles/s41...