Causal Effects of Immune Cell Populations on Cognitive Performance: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Jingfeng Fu1,2, Minmin Yang1, Qingteng Zheng1
1School of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Putian University, Putian, China.
Seven immune cell types causally influence cognitive function, with specific B cell and T cell subsets showing significant associations. These findings highlight immune pathways that may regulate cognitive performance and offer targets for interventions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Emerging research links immune activity to cognitive abilities, but causal mechanisms are unclear.
- Specific immune cell subpopulations' roles in cognition require further characterization.
- Identifying causal immune-cognitive links can inform immunomodulatory interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine directional relationships between immune cell subtypes and cognitive function.
- To investigate potential causal links using Mendelian randomization.
- To identify immune signatures relevant for cognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- Utilized genome-wide association study data and immunophenotyping.
- Employed various MR techniques and sensitivity analyses, including bidirectional MR.
Main Results:
- Two immune cell phenotypes (IgD- CD27- B cells and unswitched memory B cells) showed significant links to cognitive performance (P < 0.05).
- Under stricter thresholds (P < 0.005), five additional subpopulations (B cells, T cells, mononuclear phagocytes) demonstrated significant relationships.
- Bidirectional MR confirmed no reverse causation from cognitive performance to immune phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Seven distinct immune cell phenotypes appear to causally influence cognitive functioning.
- These immunophenotypes likely impact cognitive outcomes, not the reverse.
- Identified immune signatures offer potential targets for modulating cognitive function and related inflammatory pathways.
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