The association between basal metabolic rate and ischemic stroke: a Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Metabolic Research
• Neurology

Background:

• Basal metabolic rate (BMR) influences physiological processes.
• Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality.
• Understanding genetic predispositions to metabolic factors and stroke is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between basal metabolic rate and ischemic stroke using genetic prediction.
• To leverage Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis for robust causal inference.

Main Methods:

• A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted.
• Summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies for BMR and ischemic stroke were utilized.
• Inverse variance weighting, weighted median, and MR-Egger were among the MR methods employed, with sensitivity analyses performed.

Main Results:

• Genetic variants associated with BMR showed a significant positive causal effect on ischemic stroke risk.
• Inverse variance weighting (OR, 1.108) and weighted median (OR, 1.179) models indicated increased stroke risk with higher BMR.
• Sensitivity analyses confirmed the absence of significant heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.

Conclusions:

• The study provides genetic evidence supporting a positive causal association between basal metabolic rate and ischemic stroke.
• Elevated basal metabolic rate may represent a genetically influenced risk factor for developing ischemic stroke.