Abstract
Risk-taking propensity is a trait of significant public health relevance but few specific genetic factors are known. Here we perform a genome-wide association study of self-reported risk-taking propensity among 436,236 white European UK Biobank study participants. We identify genome-wide associations at 26 loci (P < 5 × 10−8), 24 of which are novel, implicating genes enriched in the GABA and GABA receptor pathways. Modelling the relationship between risk-taking propensity and body mass index (BMI) using Mendelian randomisation shows a positive association (0.25 approximate SDs of BMI (SE: 0.06); P = 6.7 × 10−5). The impact of individual SNPs is heterogeneous, indicating a complex relationship arising from multiple shared pathways. We identify positive genetic correlations between risk-taking and waist-hip ratio, childhood obesity, ever smoking, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, alongside a negative correlation with women’s age at first birth. These findings highlight that behavioural pathways involved in risk-taking propensity may play a role in obesity, smoking and psychiatric disorders.
Highlights
Risk-taking propensity is a trait of significant public health relevance but few specific genetic factors are known
The second strongest signal that we identified for risk-taking propensity, rs727644 lies intronic in FOXP2, which has previously been associated with age at first birth in women[35]
In this study, we identify 26 genetic loci associated with selfreported risk-taking propensity in a sample of 436,236 participants from the UK Biobank study, 24 of which are novel
Summary
Risk-taking propensity is a trait of significant public health relevance but few specific genetic factors are known. We identify positive genetic correlations between risk-taking and waist-hip ratio, childhood obesity, ever smoking, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, alongside a negative correlation with women’s age at first birth. These findings highlight that behavioural pathways involved in risk-taking propensity may play a role in obesity, smoking and psychiatric disorders. Studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) support the existence of an association between impulsivity and BMI18 Those with ADHD are more likely to take risks[19,20], binge-eat[21] and be obese[22] than those without ADHD. Heritability estimates for risk-taking range between 0 and 55%, indicating that genetic approaches may be possible[2,26]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
