Abstract
Introduction: Risk-preference, namely our attitude to risk and to decision making under uncertainty, and time preference, the choice between receiving a smaller and immediate reward opposed to a larger and future reward, are complex traits that have both environmental and genetic determinants. We aimed to examine how an individual’s risk and time preferences associate with their epigenetic profiles, specifically DNA methylation patterns.Methods8,452 participants were recruited as part of the Northern Ireland COhort for the Longitudinal study of Ageing (NICOLA). Risk preferences were ascertained by asking participants to make a series of choices between two hypothetical income scenarios. Data was collected for 4,564 individuals. Income A, which will with certainty give you £1,500 per month for the rest of your life. Income B, which will give you a 50-50 chance of £3,000 and a 50-50 chance of £1,000/£1,200/£1,300 per month for the rest of your life. In total, 1,656 individuals for whom we had DNA methylation and risk preference data, were included in the analysis; 52% were females and 48% were males; four groups were created (quartiles on the risk preference scale) ranging from “risk averse” individuals to “risk seeking” individuals. Time preferences were established by asking participants to make choices between a series of hypothetical scenarios. Data was collected for 4,585 individuals. Would you rather have £1,500 now or £1,506/£1,512/£1,518/£1,524/£1,536/£1,548/£1,596 a month from now? Questionnaire and DNA methylation data was gathered for 1,648 individuals; 52% were females and 48% were males. Eight groups were created, ranging from “patient” to “impatient” individuals. Blood-derived DNA was processed consistently within our single genetics centre. Using the Infinium HD Methylation Assay, Methylation. EPIC BeadChips from Illumina evaluated the status of >850,000 CpG sites, promoters and CpG islands. Partek Genomics Suite 7.0 was utilised for data analysis, with standard quality control applied. Results: We compared the distribution of single site DNA methylation levels in the top and bottom quartiles (risk averse vs risk seeking individuals). A total of 393 CpG sites were identified as having significantly different levels of methylation where p≤x10-05, 101 of which were identified in both males and females. Several genes including CALN1, HLA-DPB1, LIMD1, NWD1 and SEPT4 reported multiple significant CpG sites, none of which had previously been linked to risk aversion. Nicotine addiction was established as the pathway with the greatest enrichment score (17.7), where p=1.9 x10-08 in males. A subsequent analysis identified that the methylation values of 61 CpG sites displayed evidence of a linear trend across the risk preference scale. We assessed the methylation levels between the “patient” and “impatient” population groups and identified 94 CpG sites significantly associated with the trait, where p≤x10-05. In total, 16 CpG sites identified were reported in both males and females P≤x10-03. These sites are present within genes including COL1A1, PLEKHG5, STK10 and UXS1, none of which have previously been reported in association to time preference.DiscussionEpigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, have not to date been linked to risk aversion and impatience, but may represent important biomarkers of accumulated, but complex genetic and environmental determinants of these traits. Several striking results from this study support further analysis of DNA methylation as an important link between measurable biomarkers and health behaviours. Data from longitudinal cohorts provide the opportunity to monitor the relationship between the two, over time.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 11 Oct 2018 |
Event | Integrating genetics and the social sciences conference - Institute of Behavioral Science and University of Colorado Population Center, Boulder, United States Duration: 11 Oct 2018 → 12 Oct 2018 https://behavioralscience.colorado.edu/IGSS_2018/index.php |
Conference
Conference | Integrating genetics and the social sciences conference |
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Abbreviated title | IGSS |
Country/Territory | United States |
City | Boulder |
Period | 11/10/2018 → 12/10/2018 |
Internet address |