A study in which scientists from the Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL) and the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) have participated has made it possible to identify several genes involved in the size of the cranial perimeter. Specifically, the research, published in the journal Nature Genetics , identifies two genetic variants in the SBNO1 and HMGA2 genes associated with the head circumference of boys and girls between 6 months and 2.5 years. These genes have also been associated with height reached in adulthood.
An association has also been found between these genes and a variant in the region where the CRHR1 / MAPT genes are found. The researchers emphasize that the MAPT gene has been associated in other studies with intracranial volume in adults , in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.