Shared Genetic Etiology Between Cardio-metabolic traits and Mood Disorders: A Genome-Wide Pleiotropic Analysis in Sub-Saharan African cohorts

Mood and cardio-metabolic disorders are commonly considered risk factors for each other and represent a significant burden to society. There is evidence suggesting a shared genetic etiology between cardio-metabolic disease risk factors (such as blood pressure, lipids, and glycemic traits) and mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder). However, the nature of this overlap remains unclear in Sub-Saharan African populations. This study aims to explore the nature of the common genetic etiology between cardio-metabolic risk phenotypes and mood disorders. A genome-wide pleiotropic association study will be conducted using bioinformatics methods to investigate the shared genetic basis between cardio-metabolic disorders and mood disorders, utilizing summary-level data from African-ancestry cohorts. The study will incorporate existing and new data on cardio-metabolic and mood disorders from African cohorts, contributed by African researchers and global partners. The expected outcomes include the identification of pleiotropic genes, biological pathways, and causal effects between mood disorders and cardio-metabolic traits in African populations. This research has the potential to address a critical knowledge gap in cardiometabolic-psychiatric genetics research, particularly in African populations. Furthermore, it will provide a foundation for future multi-trait genetic studies in African populations, who have historically been underrepresented in mental health research.