ArticleNature neuroscience2018
GWAS of lifetime cannabis use reveals new risk loci, genetic overlap with psychiatric traits, and a causal influence of schizophrenia.
Erratum issuedOpen access · bronzeAbstract read
In one paragraph
Article in Nature neuroscience, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 261 papers, 18 of them syntheses that pooled it.
0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
261citing papers in PubMed, 18 pooled it
52.3field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
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.
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.
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Who cites it
261 citing papers in PubMed, 18 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 546 citations in OpenAlex.
- The genetics of cannabis lifetime use.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2026Pooled it
- Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology using Mendelian randomization (STROBE-MR): a Korean translation of explanation and elaboration.Ewha medical journal · 2025Guideline
- A contextual genomic perspective on physical activity and its relationship to health, well being and illness.Nature genetics · 2025Pooled it
- The levels of amino acid metabolites in serum induce the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis by mediating the inflammatory protein S100A12.Scientific reports · 2024Pooled it
- Genome-wide association analyses identify 95 risk loci and provide insights into the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder.Nature genetics · 2024Pooled it
- Trans-ancestry epigenome-wide association meta-analysis of DNA methylation with lifetime cannabis use.Molecular psychiatry · 2024Pooled it
- Cannabis use and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a Mendelian randomization study.BMC cardiovascular disorders · 2023Pooled it
- Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of cannabis use disorder yields insight into disease biology and public health implications.Nature genetics · 2023Pooled it
- Cannabis use and the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma: a Mendelian randomization study.Scientific reports · 2023Pooled it
- Depression pathophysiology, risk prediction of recurrence and comorbid psychiatric disorders using genome-wide analyses.Nature medicine · 2023Pooled it
- Applications of Mendelian randomization in psychiatry: a comprehensive systematic review.Psychiatric genetics · 2022Pooled it
- Cross-ancestry meta-analysis of opioid use disorder uncovers novel loci with predominant effects in brain regions associated with addiction.Nature neuroscience · 2022Pooled it
- Pairwise genetic meta-analyses between schizophrenia and substance dependence phenotypes reveals novel association signals with pharmacological significance.Translational psychiatry · 2022Pooled it
- A systematic review of gene-by-intervention studies of alcohol and other substance use.Development and psychopathology · 2021Pooled it
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of sex differences in cannabis use disorder amongst people with comorbid mental illness.The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse · 2021Pooled it
- Genetic basis of cannabis use: a systematic review.BMC medical genomics · 2021Pooled it
- Using Mendelian randomization analysis to better understand the relationship between mental health and substance use: a systematic review.Psychological medicine · 2021Pooled it
- Genome-wide association study of early-onset bipolar I disorder in the Han Taiwanese population.Translational psychiatry · 2021Pooled it
- Genetic pleiotropy differentially linking brain variation to cannabis use and cannabis use disorder.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2026Article
- Genetic pleiotropy differentially linking brain variation to cannabis use and cannabis use disorder.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2026Article
201 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
51 authors at 20 institutions in 8 countries.
Joëlle A PasmanBehavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7558-0482
Karin J H VerweijBehavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Zachary GerringGenetic Epidemiology, Statistical Genetics, and Translational Neurogenomics Laboratories, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Sven StringerDepartment of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3115-8532
Sandra Sanchez-RoigeDepartment of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Jorien L TreurMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Abdel AbdellaouiAmsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Michel G NivardDepartment of Biological Psychology/Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2015-1888
Bart M L BaselmansDepartment of Biological Psychology/Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jue-Sheng OngGenetic Epidemiology, Statistical Genetics, and Translational Neurogenomics Laboratories, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6062-710X
Hill F IpDepartment of Biological Psychology/Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1991-5019
Matthijs D van der ZeeDepartment of Biological Psychology/Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Meike BartelsDepartment of Biological Psychology/Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9667-7555
Felix R DayMRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3789-7651
Pierre Fontanillas23andMe, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA.
Sarah L Elson23andMe, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA.
23andMe Research Team
Harriet de WitDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Lea K DavisVanderbilt Genetics Institute; Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5143-2282
James MacKillopPeter Boris Centre for Addictions Research and Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University/St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4118-9500
Substance Use Disorders Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium
International Cannabis Consortium
Jaime L DerringerDepartment of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.
Susan J T BranjeDepartment of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Catharina A HartmanDepartment of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Andrew C HeathDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Pol A C van LierDepartment of Developmental Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Pamela A F MaddenDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Reedik MägiEstonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Wim MeeusDepartment of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Grant W MontgomeryInstitute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4140-8139
A J OldehinkelDepartment of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3925-3913
Zdenka PausovaHospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Josep A Ramos-QuirogaPsychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Tomas PausRotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Marta RibasesPsychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1039-1116
Jaakko KaprioInstitute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, HiLIFE Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3716-2455
Marco P M BoksBrain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6163-7484
Jordana T BellDepartment of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK.
Tim D SpectorDepartment of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK.
Joel GelernterDepartment of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4067-1859
Dorret I BoomsmaDepartment of Biological Psychology/Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Nicholas G MartinGenetic Epidemiology, Statistical Genetics, and Translational Neurogenomics Laboratories, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Stuart MacGregorGenetic Epidemiology, Statistical Genetics, and Translational Neurogenomics Laboratories, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6731-8142
John R B PerryMRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
Abraham A PalmerDepartment of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3634-0747
Danielle PosthumaDepartment of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7582-2365
Marcus R MunafòMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4049-993X
Nathan A GillespieGenetic Epidemiology, Statistical Genetics, and Translational Neurogenomics Laboratories, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Eske M DerksGenetic Epidemiology, Statistical Genetics, and Translational Neurogenomics Laboratories, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6292-6883
Jacqueline M VinkBehavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.vink@bsi.ru.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3910-3528
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NLQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute · AURadboud University Nijmegen · NL23andMe (United States) · USKing's College London · GBUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona · ESUniversity Medical Center Groningen · NLUniversity of Bristol · GBUniversity of California San Diego · USUniversity of Cambridge · GBUtrecht University · NLWashington University in St. Louis · USAmsterdam Public Health · NLAmsterdam University Medical Centers · NLHospital for Sick Children · CASt. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton · CAThe University of Queensland · AUUniversity Medical Center Utrecht · NLUniversity of Chicago · USUniversity of Helsinki · FI
Funding
Subject CollectionU10AA008401 · NIAAA · SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER · PI JAY Arnold TISCHFIELD · 1989 to 2026
$162.7MSequencing CoreP50DA037844 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · PI SOLBERG WOODS, LEAH CATHERINE · 2014 to 2023
$27.4MInterdisciplinary Research Fellowship in NeuroAIDSR25MH081482 · NIMH · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · PI MARIANA CHERNER · 2007 to 2026
$5.2M7/7 Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: Finding actionable variationU01MH109532 · NIMH · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · PI AGRAWAL, ARPANA, EDENBERG, HOWARD J · 2016 to 2020
$3.1M3/7 Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: Finding actionable variationU01MH109536 · NIMH · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · PI CHARNEY, ALEXANDER W, HUCKINS, LAURA MARIANNE · 2016 to 2020
$2.7MGenetic & environmental pathways to drug use, abuse & dependenceR00DA023549 · NIDA · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · PI GILLESPIE, NATHAN ALEXANDER · 2010 to 2012
$717kGenetic & environmental pathways to drug use, abuse & dependenceK99DA023549 · NIDA · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · PI GILLESPIE, NATHAN ALEXANDER · 2008 to 2009
$166kMedical Research Council MC_UU_00011/7Medical Research Council MC_UU_12015/2NIAAA NIH HHS U10 AA008401NIDA NIH HHS K99 DA023549NIDA NIH HHS P50 DA037844NIDA NIH HHS R00 DA023549NIMH NIH HHS R25 MH081482NIMH NIH HHS U01 MH109532NIMH NIH HHS U01 MH109536
Abstract
Cannabis use is a heritable trait that has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes. In the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) for lifetime cannabis use to date (N = 184,765), we identified eight genome-wide significant independent single nucleotide polymorphisms in six regions. All measured genetic variants combined explained 11% of the variance. Gene-based tests revealed 35 significant genes in 16 regions, and S-PrediXcan analyses showed that 21 genes had different expression levels for cannabis users versus nonusers. The strongest finding across the different analyses was CADM2, which has been associated with substance use and risk-taking. Significant genetic correlations were found with 14 of 25 tested substance use and mental health-related traits, including smoking, alcohol use, schizophrenia and risk-taking. Mendelian randomization analysis showed evidence for a causal positive influence of schizophrenia risk on cannabis use. Overall, our study provides new insights into the etiology of cannabis use and its relation with mental health.
Indexed as
Genome-Wide Association StudyAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCell Adhesion MoleculesDatabases, GeneticFemaleGene Expression RegulationGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGenotypeHumansMaleMarijuana AbuseMendelian Randomization AnalysisMental HealthCADM2 protein, humanCell Adhesion Molecules
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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 OpenQuestion graph.