Heart failure causally affects the brain cortical structure: a Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cardiology
• Genetics

Background:

• The impact of heart failure (HF) on the brain's cortical structure is not well understood.
• Investigating the causal relationship between HF and brain structure is crucial for understanding neurological comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal effects of heart failure on cortical brain structures using Mendelian randomization (MR).
• To examine the influence of HF trait, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on cortical surface area (SA) and thickness (TH).

Main Methods:

• A two-sample MR analysis was performed using large-scale genome-wide association study summary data.
• Data sources included large cohorts for HF, LVEF, NT-proBNP, and cortical SA/TH from the ENIGMA Consortium.
• Statistical methods were employed to ensure result stability by excluding heterogeneity and pleiotropy.

Main Results:

• No significant association was found between HF and overall cortical thickness or surface area.
• Elevated NT-proBNP levels were suggested to decrease cortical thickness in several brain regions, including the pars orbitalis and precuneus.
• Reduced LVEF was associated with decreased cortical SA and TH in regions like the isthmus cingulate gyrus and postcentral gyrus, with some suggested increases in other areas.

Conclusions:

• Fifteen brain regions were identified as potentially affected by heart failure.
• These structural brain changes may underlie cognitive, emotional, and sensory processing impairments observed in HF patients.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking HF to specific cortical alterations.