Lifestyle Modify Optic Nerve Injury in Mendelian Randomization

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• Optic nerve injury is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to irreversible vision impairment.
• The link between physical activity and optic nerve injury is not well understood.
• This study investigates the causal relationship between physical activity and optic nerve injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a causal relationship between physical activity and optic nerve injury using a Mendelian randomization (MR) framework.
• To identify genetic predispositions influencing the association between physical activity and optic nerve injury.
• To explore the role of lifestyle factors in optic nerve injury risk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized genome-wide significant variants as instrumental variables (IVs) in an MR analysis.
• Focused on individuals of European descent for genetic analysis.
• Performed comprehensive sensitivity analyses and bioinformatics analyses (differential gene expression, Gene Ontology, KEGG).

Main Results:

• Increased sedentary time (LST) was positively associated with glaucoma risk (β=0.016, p=0.014).
• Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was negatively associated with glaucoma risk (β=-0.012, p=0.026), indicating a protective effect.
• Bioinformatic analyses suggested involvement of cholesterol metabolism and fibrosis pathways in optic nerve injury.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity demonstrates a protective effect against optic nerve injury.
• Reducing sedentary behavior is an independent risk factor for optic nerve injury.
• Lifestyle modifications, including increased physical activity, offer a cost-effective strategy for prevention and management.