The causal relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior and brain cortical structure: a Mendelian...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical activity and sedentary behavior are distinct lifestyle factors impacting brain health.
• The precise relationship between these behaviors and brain cortical structure remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal association between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and brain cortical structure.
• To analyze the impact on cortical surface area and cortical thickness.

Main Methods:

• Employed Mendelian randomization analysis to infer causality.
• Utilized the inverse-variance weighted method as the primary analytical approach.
• Conducted sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness and accuracy of findings.

Main Results:

• Physical activity showed a potential positive association with cortical thickness in the bankssts and fusiform cortex.
• Sedentary behavior was nominally linked to reduced cortical surface area in the caudal middle frontal and pars opercularis regions.
• Sedentary behavior also showed a nominal positive correlation with inferior parietal cortical surface area and a negative correlation with paracentral cortical thickness.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a potential causal link between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and specific brain cortical structures.
• These results contribute to understanding how lifestyle choices influence brain morphology and overall brain health.