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Published on: January 8, 2013
Exploring the heart-brain and brain-heart axes: Insights from a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study on brain
Guang-Zhi Liao1, Chun-Hui He1, Xin-Qing Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Failure Center, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Insights
This study reveals that cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease and hypertension impact brain cortex structure. Conversely, specific brain regions influence cardiovascular disease risk, suggesting a complex bidirectional relationship.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Genetics
Background:
- The intricate relationship between brain cortex structure and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is not fully understood.
- Exploring this bidirectional link is crucial for comprehensive health insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal interactions between major cardiovascular disease phenotypes and brain cortical structure using Mendelian randomization.
- To identify specific brain regions influencing CVD risk and vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Employed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis on large-scale genetic data from UK Biobank, FinnGen, and ENIGMA Consortium.
- Assessed nine CVD-related traits (hypertension, heart failure, AF, CHD) against cortical surface area and thickness in 34 brain regions.
- Utilized inverse-variance weighted methods and false discovery rate adjustment for robust statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) was associated with reduced surface area in the superior temporal sulcus and superior frontal lobe.
- Hypertension linked to altered cortical thickness in the lateral occipital region.
- Total cortical surface area predicted CHD risk, and 16 and 3 brain regions significantly affected blood pressure and atrial fibrillation (AF) risk, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Cortical changes detected via MRI may help screen for neuropsychiatric issues in CVD patients.
- Brain structure abnormalities could serve as early indicators for future CVD risk, informing novel prevention and treatment strategies.
Introduction:
The bidirectional relationship between the brain cortex and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains inadequately explored.
Methods:
This study used bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the interactions between nine phenotypes associated with hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AF), and coronary heart disease (CHD), and brain cortex measurements. These measurements included total surface area (SA), average thickness (TH), and the SA and TH of 34 regions defined by the Desikan-Killiany atlas. The nine traits were obtained from sources such as the UK Biobank and FinnGen, etc., while MRI-derived traits of cortical structure were sourced from the ENIGMA Consortium. The primary estimate was obtained using the inverse-variance weighted approach. A false discovery rate adjustment was applied to the p-values (resulting in q-values) in the analyses of regional cortical structures.
Results:
A total of 1,260 two-sample MR analyses were conducted. Existing CHD demonstrated an influence on the SA of the banks of the superior temporal sulcus (bankssts) (q=0.018) and the superior frontal lobe (q=0.018), while hypertension was associated with changes in the TH of the lateral occipital region (q=0.02). Regarding the effects of the brain cortex on CVD incidence, total SA was significantly associated with the risk of CHD. Additionally, 16 and 3 regions exhibited significant effects on blood pressure and AF risk, respectively (q<0.05). These regions were primarily located in the frontal, temporal, and cingulate areas, which are associated with cognitive function and mood regulation.
Conclusion:
The detection of cortical changes through MRI could aid in screening for potential neuropsychiatric disorders in individuals with established CVD. Moreover, abnormalities in cortical structure may predict future CVD risk, offering new insights for prevention and treatment strategies.
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