Does enhanced cognitive performance reduce fracture risk? a Mendelian randomization study.

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Epidemiology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between cognitive function and fracture risk.
• The causal nature and specific fracture sites involved remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between cognitive performance and fracture risk at various skeletal sites using Mendelian randomization.
• To identify specific fracture locations where cognitive performance influences risk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) with 147 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly associated with cognitive performance.
• Analyzed causal associations for fractures at multiple specific sites (e.g., lumbar spine, pelvis, ribs).
• Employed inverse variance-weighted method, MR-Egger regression, and heterogeneity tests (MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum Outlier, Cochran Q).

Main Results:

• A significant causal association was found between cognitive performance and fractures at the lumbar-spine-pelvis (OR=0.727, p=0.023).
• Cognitive performance was also causally linked to fractures at the ribs-sternum-thoracic spine sites (OR=0.774, p=0.029).
• No causal associations were detected for other fracture sites examined.

Conclusions:

• This study provides genetic evidence for a causal link between cognitive performance and specific fracture sites.
• Findings suggest that cognitive enhancement strategies could serve as novel approaches for fracture prevention.