A research team has identified genetic factors that influence the shape of subcortical brain regions—far beyond volume measurements. The results could open up new approaches for the early detection of neurological and mental disorders.

The large-scale study led by Forschungszentrum Jülich, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, and Helmholtz Munich examined the genetic influences on the shape of certain brain regions. The researchers focused on 22 subcortical structures, including the cerebellum. For the analysis, they used data from around 20,000 healthy White-British UK Biobank participants.

The research is published in the journal Science Advances.