Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-07-08eCollection Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-3009
Hannah Klinkhammer, Andreas Mayr, Carlo Maj
{"title":"An introduction to polygenic scores - methodological basics and recent advances.","authors":"Hannah Klinkhammer, Andreas Mayr, Carlo Maj","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3009","DOIUrl":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polygenic scores (PGS) allow the estimation of genetic predisposition to complex diseases and traits. Based on results from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and data from large deeply phenotyped population biobanks, numerous PGS have been developed in recent years. These scores summarize the combined effects of many genetic variants and can support risk stratification for multifactorial diseases based on an individual's genetic susceptibility. In this review, we introduce the basic principles and methods of PGS and explain how they are generated and applied. We outline their potential translational role, particularly in the context of precision medicine and personalized risk stratification for preventive measures, in combination with established clinical risk factors. At the same time, we discuss important limitations, including limited generalizability across populations and the issue of missing heritability. Finally, we highlight current methodological developments and future perspectives for the integration of PGS into clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 3","pages":"157-168"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340550/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-07-08eCollection Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-3016
Johannes Schumacher, Markus M Nöthen, Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
{"title":"Polygenic risk scores in clinical applications - opportunities and challenges.","authors":"Johannes Schumacher, Markus M Nöthen, Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3016","DOIUrl":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are increasingly transitioning from research tools into instruments with direct clinical relevance. This review addresses both opportunities and challenges of PRS across disease contexts. Key applications include risk stratification in multifactorial and monogenic diseases, diagnostic support in etiologically heterogeneous disorders, and pharmacogenomic stratification. These are accompanied by substantial challenges, including limited transferability across diverse populations, insufficient methodological standardization, and barriers to effective risk communication. PRS hold considerable potential to contribute to a more individualized, predictive, and preventive medicine, provided that scientific rigor and responsibility guide their clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 3","pages":"169-176"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340548/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-07-08eCollection Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-3002
{"title":"Tagungsbericht der Tagungspräsidentin Prof. Dr. med. Juliane Winkelmann.","authors":"","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3002","DOIUrl":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 3","pages":"257-258"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340545/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-07-08eCollection Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-3001
Stefan Mundlos, Malte Spielmann, Karl Sperling, Regine Witkowski
{"title":"50 Jahre (und mehr) Humangenetik/Medizinische Genetik in Berlin.","authors":"Stefan Mundlos, Malte Spielmann, Karl Sperling, Regine Witkowski","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3001","DOIUrl":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 3","pages":"247-251"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340633/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-07-08eCollection Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-3017
Sarah Verheyen, Johannes Zschocke, Dominik Westphal
{"title":"Medizinisch-genetische Patient*innenversorgung in den sechs Zentren für Medizinische Genetik.","authors":"Sarah Verheyen, Johannes Zschocke, Dominik Westphal","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3017","DOIUrl":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3017","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 3","pages":"279-280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340629/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-07-08eCollection Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-3004
Christian A Hübner
{"title":"Verleihung der GfH-Ehrenmedaille an Frau Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Gudrun Rappold: Laudatio von Prof. Dr. med. Christian Hübner, Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Jena, anlässlich der 36. GfH-Jahrestagung am 04.03.2026 in München.","authors":"Christian A Hübner","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/medgen-2026-3004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 3","pages":"259-260"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340632/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-07-08eCollection Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-3015
Juliane Winkelmann, Barbara Schormair
{"title":"Polygenic risk scores in neurological disorders: restless legs syndrome as a translational model.","authors":"Juliane Winkelmann, Barbara Schormair","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3015","DOIUrl":"10.1515/medgen-2026-3015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polygenic risk scores (PRS) aggregate the effects of common genetic variants into a single metric of disease predisposition. Many neurological disorders exhibit a polygenic architecture, thereby providing a rationale for the application of PRS in risk prediction, biological subtyping, and stratification of patients to inform clinical decision-making. Here, we use restless legs syndrome (RLS) as an informative translational model to discuss both opportunities and current constraints of PRS use in neurology. RLS has a well-characterized polygenic component with 164 GWAS risk loci, a PRS with moderate case-control discrimination (AUC 0.73) when used alone, but showing potential for higher performance (AUC 0.82-0.91) in machine-learning models incorporating non-genetic variables. We discuss how multi-omics integration, PRS-based clinical subgrouping, and rare variant penetrance modification can advance PRS development and application in RLS and contextualize these developments within the wider landscape of PRS in neurological disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 3","pages":"211-219"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13340635/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medizinische GenetikPub Date : 2026-04-16eCollection Date: 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1515/medgen-2026-2005
Gregor Kasprian, Christian Mitter, Philipp Moser
{"title":"Deep phenotyping using foetal MRI.","authors":"Gregor Kasprian, Christian Mitter, Philipp Moser","doi":"10.1515/medgen-2026-2005","DOIUrl":"10.1515/medgen-2026-2005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51130,"journal":{"name":"Medizinische Genetik","volume":"38 2","pages":"111-117"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13099244/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}