Causal relationship between gut microbiota and intracranial hemorrhage: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Genetics
• Neurology

Background:

• Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is often associated with gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis.
• The causal relationship between GM and ICH remains largely undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal link between gut microbiota composition and the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).
• To identify specific gut microbial taxa associated with ICH risk using a robust genetic approach.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design leveraging summary statistics from genome-wide association studies.
• Selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with gut microbial traits (P < 10E-5).
• Employed inverse variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO methods for causal inference analysis.

Main Results:

• Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a significant positive causal association between the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and ICH risk (RR=1.344, P=4.62E-04).
• Several other gut microbial taxa, including Rhodospirillales, Terrisporobacter, Veillonellaceae, Coprococcus 3, unknown genus, Alphaproteobacteria, Allisonella, Anaerofilum, Eubacterium brachy group, Clostridia, Howardella, and Romboutsia, showed negative correlations with ICH risk.
• Functional enrichment analysis of associated genes requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

• This study provides evidence for a causal effect of gut microbiota on intracranial hemorrhage risk.
• The identification of over ten gut microbial taxa associated with ICH offers potential targets for preventative and therapeutic strategies.