Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
I am a behavioural geneticist, interested in unravelling the roots of individual differences in human behaviour. I employ interdisciplinary research (combining population and quantitative genetics with psychiatry and evolutionary psychology) to solve fundamental questions about the etiology of substance use, psychiatric disorders and other human behaviour.
Mental health problems pose a strong burden on individual’s and their families’ lives as well as society as a whole. Not everyone is similarly likely to develop mental health problems. I investigate how genetic favctors play a role in individuals’ vulnerability to mental health problems. To this end I have performed twin studies to estimate the heritability of substance use as well as other mental health problems. More recently, I started using information from measured DNA variants to perform genome-wide association studies in order to identify genes that play a role in cannabis use, personality traits, and sexual behaviour. Notably, I am one of the PIs of the International Cannabis Consortium, a large collaborative project (with more than 180,000 participants from ~20 contributing cohorts) aimed at identifying genes associated with cannabis use.
Another focus of my research is the complex comorbidity between different traits. We know from my own and other previous studies that there is high comorbidity between different mental health problems and that health problems are associated with SES and educational attainment. With statistical genetics methodology I investigate the nature of these associations, to provide a better understanding of the complex comorbidity.
I also combine evolutionary theories with statistical genetics methodology, for example by looking at the effects of inbreeding, the maintenance of genetic variation in sexual orientation and in personality, and at how genetics plays a role in how many children and grandchildren we have and of what sex they are.
specialisation
Ancillary activities
No ancillary activities
Ancillary activities are updated daily
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Finished
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3_Exploring the Genetic Overlap between
Verweij, K. & de Geus, E.
1/01/2015 → 2/06/2018
Project: Research
Research output
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Overlapping Genetic and Environmental Influences on Nonsuicidal Self-injury and Suicidal Ideation: Different Outcomes, Same Etiology?
Maciejewski, D. F., Creemers, H. E., Lynskey, M. T., Madden, P. A., Heath, A. C., Statham, D. J., Martin, N. G. & Verweij, C. J. H., 1 Jan 2014, In: JAMA Psychiatry. 71, 6, p. 699-705 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access74 Citations (Scopus) -
Perfect genetic correlation between number of offspring and grandoffspring in an industrialized human population
Zietsch, B. P., Kuja-Halkola, R., Walum, H. & Verweij, K. J. H., 21 Jan 2014, In: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 111, 3, p. 1032-1036 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access35 Citations (Scopus) -
Investigating causal associations between use of nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and cannabis: a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Verweij, K. J. H., Treur, J. L. & Vink, J. M., 2018, In: Addiction (Abingdon, England). 113, 7, p. 1333-1338Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
21 Citations (Scopus) -
GWAS of lifetime cannabis use reveals new risk loci, genetic overlap with psychiatric traits, and a causal influence of schizophrenia
The 23andMe Research Team, 2018, In: Nature neuroscience. 21, 9, p. 1161-1170Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
291 Citations (Scopus) -
A broader cultural view is necessary to study the evolution of sexual orientation
Savolainen, V., Bailey, N. W., Diamond, L., Swift-Gallant, A., Gavrilets, S., Raymond, M. & Verweij, K. J. H., Feb 2024, In: Nature ecology & evolution. 8, 2, p. 181-183 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › Academic
Activities
- 6 Lecture / Presentation
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The International Cannabis Consortium: What did we learn about the genetics of cannabis use
C.J.H. Verweij (Speaker)
16 Oct 2016 → 3 Nov 2016Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic
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Genetic association between schizophrenia and cannabis use
C.J.H. Verweij (Speaker)
15 Mar 2016Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic
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Genetic association between schizophrenia and cannabis use
C.J.H. Verweij (Speaker)
15 Mar 2016Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic
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Genetic association between addicitve behaviours and conduct disorder
C.J.H. Verweij (Speaker)
22 Jun 2016Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic
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Individual differences in personality masculinity-femininity: Examining the effects of genes, environment, and prenatal hormone transfer
C.J.H. Verweij (Speaker)
15 Jul 2015Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic