Genetically determined intelligence and coronary artery disease risk
Ling Li1, Shichao Pang1, Lingyao Zeng1
1Department of Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, Lazarettstr. 36, 80636, Munich, Germany.
Summary
Higher genetic intelligence scores are linked to lower coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. This association is mediated by intelligence and education, influencing CAD risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Epidemiological studies suggest an inverse relationship between intelligence and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk.
- The biological and social mechanisms underlying this association require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic underpinnings of intelligence and its association with CAD risk.
- To explore the mediating roles of measured intelligence and educational attainment in the intelligence-CAD relationship.
- To examine the influence of genetic intelligence on CAD risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Calculation of a genetic intelligence score (gIQ) using 242 intelligence-associated SNPs.
- Analysis of gIQ in large cohorts (10 CAD case-control studies and UK Biobank).
- Regression analyses to assess gIQ effects on CAD and risk factors (BMI, T2D, smoking, hypertension, HDL, LDL cholesterol).
- Mediation analysis and Mendelian randomization to confirm causal pathways.
Main Results:
- A one SD increase in gIQ was associated with a 5% decrease in CAD risk (OR 0.95, P=4.93e-5), validated in UK Biobank (OR 0.97, P=6.4e-4).
- gIQ showed inverse correlations with smoking, BMI, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, and a positive correlation with HDL cholesterol.
- Associations between gIQ and CAD/risk factors were attenuated after adjusting for measured intelligence and educational attainment, confirmed by Mendelian randomization.
Conclusions:
- Genetic intelligence influences measured intelligence and educational attainment.
- These factors, in turn, impact CAD prevalence through modulation of risk factor profiles.
- Genetic components of intelligence play a causal role in CAD risk through mediating pathways.
Keywords:
Coronary artery diseaseEducational attainmentGenetic associationGenetic risk scoreIntelligenceObesitySmokingMore Related Videos
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