Schizophrenia and Types of Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Existing research indicates a link between schizophrenia and stroke.
• No prior studies have explored the association between schizophrenia and specific stroke subtypes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential causal relationships between schizophrenia and various stroke subtypes, including atherosclerotic, embolic, and hemorrhagic.
• To differentiate stroke subtypes in relation to schizophrenia risk.

Main Methods:

• Two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses were performed using summary-level genetic data from European ancestry populations.
• Schizophrenia and stroke outcomes (ischemic, large-artery, small-vessel, cardioembolic, and intracerebral hemorrhage) were analyzed.
• Inverse variance weighting, Mendelian randomization Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods were employed, with pleiotropy testing.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant association was observed between schizophrenia and cardioembolic stroke (OR, 1.070).
• An association was also noted for intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 1.089) with inverse variance weighting.
• Mendelian randomization methods corroborated the cardioembolic stroke association but not intracerebral hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

• Evidence suggests a potentially causal link between schizophrenia and cardioembolic stroke.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering cardiac evaluations for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.