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Causal relationship between tinnitus and 8 psychiatric phenotypes: a Mendelian randomization study.
1Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
|December 23, 2025
Summary
Genetic susceptibility to tinnitus causally increases the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD). Hearing difficulties and insomnia partially mediate this effect, highlighting shared genetic links between tinnitus and MDD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Tinnitus is associated with psychiatric conditions, but causality is unclear.
- Understanding the link between tinnitus and mental health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between tinnitus and major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Identify potential mediating pathways and shared genetic architecture.
Main Methods:
- Utilized univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR).
- Performed extensive sensitivity, two-step MR, and genetic pleiotropy analyses.
- Analyzed shared genetic loci and mapped pleiotropic genes.
Main Results:
- Genetic susceptibility to tinnitus causally increases MDD risk (OR=1.07).
- Hearing difficulties and insomnia mediate 20% and 31.4% of this effect, respectively.
- Identified shared genetic loci and significant global genetic correlation between tinnitus and MDD.
Conclusions:
- Tinnitus has a causal effect on MDD risk, partly mediated by hearing difficulties and insomnia.
- Genetic pleiotropy analysis reveals shared genetic architecture between tinnitus and MDD.
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