Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29086770›Full record

SynthesisMolecular psychiatry2017

An epigenome-wide association study meta-analysis of educational attainment.

R Karlsson Linnér, R E Marioni, C A Rietveld, A J Simpkin, N M Davies, K Watanabe, N J Armstrong, K Auro, C Baumbach, M J Bonder and 61 more

Open access · hybridAbstract readMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Molecular psychiatry, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 55 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
55citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
5.0field-weighted citation impact, top 4% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

55 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 87 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  6. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Environmental, Lifestyle, and Health Factors Associated With DNA Methylation Age.The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · 2020
    Pooled it
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  11. The Genetics of Intelligence.Deutsches Arzteblatt international · 2025
    Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

71 authors at 20 institutions in 11 countries.

R Karlsson LinnérDepartment of Complex Trait Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
R E MarioniCentre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
C A RietveldInstitute for Behavior and Biology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
A J SimpkinInsight Centre for Data Analytics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
N M DaviesMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
K WatanabeDepartment of Complex Trait Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
N J ArmstrongMathematics and Statistics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
K AuroInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
C BaumbachResearch Unit of Molecular Epidemiology (AME), Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
M J BonderDepartment of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
J BuchwaldInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
G FioritoMolecular and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), Turin, Italy.
K IsmailInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
S IuratoDepartment Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
A JoensuuInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
P KarellInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
S KaselaEstonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
J LahtiInstitute of Behavioural Studies, Siltavuorenpenger 1A, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
A F McRaeInstitute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
P R MandaviyaDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
I SeppäläDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland.
Y WangMedical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
L BagliettoCentre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Inserm (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale), Villejuif, France.
E B BinderDepartment Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
S E HarrisCentre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
A M HodgeCancer Epidemiology and Intelligence Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
S HorvathHuman Genetics and Biostatistics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
M HurmeDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
M JohannessonDepartment of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8759-6393
A LatvalaDepartment of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5695-117X
K A MatherCentre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Psychiatry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
S E MedlandPsychiatric Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.
A MetspaluEstonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
L MilaniEstonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5323-3102
R L MilneCancer Epidemiology and Intelligence Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
A PattieDepartment of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
N L PedersenMedical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
A PetersResearch Unit of Molecular Epidemiology (AME), Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
S PolidoroMolecular and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), Turin, Italy.
K RäikkönenInstitute of Behavioural Studies, Siltavuorenpenger 1A, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
G SeveriMolecular and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), Turin, Italy.
J M StarrMedical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
L StolkDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
M WaldenbergerResearch Unit of Molecular Epidemiology (AME), Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
J G ErikssonDepartment of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
T EskoEstonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1982-6569
L FrankeDepartment of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5159-8802
C GiegerResearch Unit of Molecular Epidemiology (AME), Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
G G GilesCancer Epidemiology and Intelligence Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
S HäggMedical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
P JousilahtiNational Institute for Health and Welfare, Genomics and Biomarkers, Helsinki, Finland.
J KaprioInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3716-2455
M KähönenDepartment of Clinical Physiology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
T LehtimäkiDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland.
N G MartinGenetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.
J B C van MeursDepartment of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
M OllikainenInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3661-7400
M PerolaInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
D PosthumaDepartment of Complex Trait Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
O T RaitakariDepartment of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
P S SachdevCentre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Psychiatry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
E TaskesenDepartment of Complex Trait Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3430-9618
A G UitterlindenDepartment of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
P VineisMolecular and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), Turin, Italy.
C WijmengaDepartment of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
M J WrightQueensland Brain Institute and Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
C ReltonMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
G Davey SmithMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School (Population Health Sciences), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
I J DearyMedical Genetics Section, Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
P D KoellingerDepartment of Complex Trait Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
D J BenjaminCenter for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
University of Helsinki · FIErasmus MC · NLVrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NLHelmholtz Zentrum München · DETampere University · FIUniversity of Edinburgh · GBItalian institute for Genomic Medicine · ITKarolinska Institutet · SEThe University of Melbourne · AUUniversity Medical Center Groningen · NLUniversity of Bristol · GBUniversity of Tartu · EEInserm · FRQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute · AUThe University of Queensland · AUAlzheimer Scotland · GBBroad Institute · USEmory University · USFinnish Institute for Health and Welfare · FIMax Planck Institute of Psychiatry · DE

Funding

Genome-Wide Analyses of Health and Well-Being PhenotypesR01AG042568 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · PI BENJAMIN, DANIEL J · 2015 to 2021
$2.8M
European Research Council 647648Medical Research Council G9815508Medical Research Council MC_PC_15018Medical Research Council MC_UU_12013/1Medical Research Council MC_UU_12013/2Medical Research Council MC_UU_12013/9Medical Research Council MR/K026992/1Medical Research Council MR/M013111/1NIA NIH HHS R01 AG042568
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The epigenome is associated with biological factors, such as disease status, and environmental factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and body mass index. Although there is a widespread perception that environmental influences on the epigenome are pervasive and profound, there has been little evidence to date in humans with respect to environmental factors that are biologically distal. Here we provide evidence on the associations between epigenetic modifications-in our case, CpG methylation-and educational attainment (EA), a biologically distal environmental factor that is arguably among the most important life-shaping experiences for individuals. Specifically, we report the results of an epigenome-wide association study meta-analysis of EA based on data from 27 cohort studies with a total of 10 767 individuals. We find nine CpG probes significantly associated with EA. However, robustness analyses show that all nine probes have previously been found to be associated with smoking. Only two associations remain when we perform a sensitivity analysis in the subset of never-smokers, and these two probes are known to be strongly associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy, and thus their association with EA could be due to correlation between EA and maternal smoking. Moreover, the effect sizes of the associations with EA are far smaller than the known associations with the biologically proximal environmental factors alcohol consumption, body mass index, smoking and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Follow-up analyses that combine the effects of many probes also point to small methylation associations with EA that are highly correlated with the combined effects of smoking. If our findings regarding EA can be generalized to other biologically distal environmental factors, then they cast doubt on the hypothesis that such factors have large effects on the epigenome.

Indexed as

Academic SuccessEpigenesis, GeneticCpG IslandsDNA MethylationGenetic Association StudiesHumansMultifactorial Inheritance

Identifiers

PMID29086770
PMCPMC6372242
OpenAlexW2766607974

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.