MoBa research provides new insights into how genes and environment affect children

A new study from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) shows that parents’ genetics may be highly significant in understanding the effects of children’s own genes on traits such as height, academic achievement and mental health. The findings may have implications for how genetic studies are interpreted in future research.

Bildet kan inneholde: mennesker, fotografi, lykke, gress, skjorte.

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The study was published in Nature and is the result of a long-term collaboration between research groups at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo University Hospital, the University of Oslo, and other Norwegian and international institutions. Professor Ole Andreassen led the study together with Professor Alexandra Havdahl from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Reference

Corfield EC, Shadrin AA, Frei O, Rahman Z, Akdeniz BC, Filiz TT, Lin A, Badini I, Hegemann L, Athanasiu L, Wootton RE, Austerberry C, Hughes AM, Tesli M, Hagen E, Brandlistuen RE, Eilertsen EM, Westlye LT, Njølstad PR, Magnus P, Hovig E, Zayats T, Ask H, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Hemani G, Davies NM, Hannigan LJ, Andreassen OA, Havdahl AK. Family genetic designs in MoBa provide insights into health and functioning. Nature. 2026 Oct;658(8136):707-715. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10926-5. Epub 2026 Aug 19. PMID: 42618792; PMCID: PMC13668695.

Published Sep. 1, 2026 3:03 PM - Last modified Nov. 3, 2026 3:03 PM