Genetic Association Between Sleep Traits and Vertigo Risk: A Two-Sample Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study.

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Sleep Medicine
• Neurology

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between sleep traits and vertigo.
• Causal evidence for this association is limited.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for vertigo prevention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between genetically predicted sleep traits and vertigo.
• Utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore genetic predispositions.
• Analyze specific sleep traits including snoring, sleep duration, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, daytime napping, and chronotype.

Main Methods:

• Employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
• Utilized genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data from UK Biobank for sleep traits.
• Extracted summary-level GWAS data for vertigo from FinnGen.
• Applied the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analytical approach.

Main Results:

• Genetically predicted daytime napping showed a significant association with an increased risk of vertigo (OR = 1.51, P = 0.016).
• Genetically predicted chronotype was also significantly associated with an increased risk of vertigo (OR = 1.13, P = 0.033).
• No significant causal effects were found for snoring, overall sleep duration, insomnia, or excessive daytime sleepiness on vertigo.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal sleep patterns, specifically daytime napping and altered chronotype, may be risk factors for vertigo.
• These findings highlight potential targets for vertigo prevention and management strategies.
• Further research can explore the mechanisms linking these sleep traits to vertigo.