Migration genetics link excitatory neurons to ancient selection and economic growth
Casten, L. G.; Tener, A.; Elsadany, M.; Yang, J. S.; Strang, J. F.; Michaelson, J.
Show abstract
From ancient nomadic movements to modern urbanization, migration has driven human history through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. We conducted a genome-wide association study of migration distance in 250,000 UK individuals, identifying 20 loci in neurodevelopmental genes with 5% heritability. Migration-related variants are associated with excitatory neuron gene expression and correlate with cognition, risk-tolerance, and reduced interpersonal attachment. Within-family analyses demonstrate genetic effects remain significant after controlling for shared environmental factors between siblings. Our polygenic score predicts inferred mobility in >1,000 ancient individuals spanning 10,000 years, revealing positive selection on migration alleles that increased substantially over millennia. At the population level, each standard deviation increase in county-level migration polygenic score predicts >$4,000 greater income growth per person in the US. These findings establish migration as a heritable trait and suggest biological pathways connecting individual neurodevelopment with regional prosperity across evolutionary and contemporary timescales.
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