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Updated: May 20, 2025

Application of Granger Causality Analysis of the Directed Functional Connection in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
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Evidence from a Mendelian randomization study: Delirium's noncausal role in dementia onset

Zhongyuan Lu1, Xiaoling Wang1, Tian Mao1

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450000, China; Laboratory Animal Center, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450000, China.

Neuroscience
|March 25, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study investigated the causal link between dementia and delirium using Mendelian randomization. Delirium appears to increase the risk of Alzheimer's dementia and Lewy body dementia, but not vascular dementia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Observational studies suggest an association between dementia and delirium.
  • Confounding variables may influence previous findings.
  • Causal relationships require robust investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causal relationship between dementia and delirium.
  • To evaluate the bidirectional causal impact using Mendelian randomization.
  • To examine specific dementia types: Alzheimer's dementia (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and Lewy body dementia (LD).

Main Methods:

  • Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
  • Utilized summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
  • Assessed causal effects of delirium on dementia subtypes and vice versa.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive correlation was found between delirium risk and Alzheimer's dementia (AD) (OR = 1.363) and Lewy body dementia (LD) (OR = 1.403).
  • No causal relationship was observed between vascular dementia (VaD) and delirium risk (OR = 1.044).
  • The study found no evidence supporting a causal correlation between delirium and the risk of developing any form of dementia.

Conclusions:

  • MR analysis suggests a potential causal link where dementia increases delirium risk.
  • Evidence does not support a causal connection in the reverse direction.
  • Delirium may not play a causative role in the onset of dementia.
Keywords:
DeliriumDementiaMendelian randomizationOlder people

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