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Updated: May 16, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Causal Associations between Gut Microbiota and Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Changjun Huang1, Yuhong Li2, Linwei Ma1
1Department of Anesthesia, The First People's Hospital of Linping District, Hangzhou, 311100, Zhejiang, China.
Objective:
Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions. The associations between gut microbiota and trigeminal neuralgia risks remain incompletely elucidated. Through Mendelian randomization (MR), this research seeks to assess the potential causal links between genetically determined abundance of gut microbiota and trigeminal neuralgia.
Methods:
Genetic variants were extracted from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) under stringent threshold as instrumental variables (IVs). A two-sample MR analyses were conducted to determine the causal associations, with sensitivity analyses such as Cochran's Q tests, MR-PRESSO and leave-one-out performed to detect potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy.
Results:
Our MR analysis revealed potential causal associations between trigeminal neuralgia and genetically predicted levels of Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 (IVW: OR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.29-0.91, P =0.02), Eubacterium hallii (IVW: OR: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.15-3.35, P =0.01), Ruminococcus 2 (IVW: OR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.29-0.94, P =0.03), Prevotella 7 (IVW: OR: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.4-0.92, P =0.02) and Hungatella (IVW: OR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.27-0.96, P =0.04). Sensitivity analyses, including Cochran's Q tests, MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out assessments, were conducted to identify potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy.
Conclusion:
Our results identified suggestive causal associations between genetically predicted gut microbiota and trigeminal neuralgia. The findings highlight the necessity for further exploration into the underlying etiology of trigeminal neuralgia.
Insights
This study investigated the gut microbiota
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Trigeminal neuralgia is a common neurological disorder.
- The gut microbiota's role in trigeminal neuralgia is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore potential causal links between gut microbiota composition and trigeminal neuralgia risk.
- Utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess genetic predispositions.
Main Methods:
- Employed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- Utilized genetic variants from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as instrumental variables.
- Conducted sensitivity analyses (Cochran's Q, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out) to ensure robustness.
Main Results:
- Identified potential causal associations between trigeminal neuralgia and specific gut bacteria, including Ruminococcaceae NK4A214, Eubacterium hallii, Ruminococcus 2, Prevotella 7, and Hungatella.
- Results indicated both protective and risk associations depending on the bacterial genus.
Conclusions:
- Suggests a genetically influenced link between gut microbiota and trigeminal neuralgia.
- Highlights the need for further research into the gut microbiome's contribution to trigeminal neuralgia etiology.
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