The ENIGMA consortium

The ENIGMA consortium brings together researchers from all over the world to study the genomics of brain structure and function in health and disease.

ENIGMA stands for: Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics Through Meta-Analysis.

By pooling together different sources of brain imaging data (structural MRI, DTI and fMRI) and genome-wide scan data, the large sample sizes can be obtained that are necessary for genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Large sample sizes of thousands of subjects are necessary to detect the modest gene effect sizes that we now know are the rule rather the exception for complex traits such as brain architecture and cognition/behaviour.

In spring 2020, ENIGMA published a key study on the genetic variants involved in the structure of the human cerebral cortex: “Worldwide study cracks brain’s genetic code”.

Donders researchers are responsible for the coordination of the ASD and ADHD working groups and contribute data and knowledge to many other ENIGMA studies.