ReviewNeurology2024
Mendelian Randomization Applied to Neurology: Promises and Challenges
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In one paragraph
Review in Neurology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
26citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
26 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Genetically proxied gut microbiota and cancer risk: a scoping review of Mendelian randomization studies.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2025Pooled it
- Causal relationship between dietary habits and low hand grip strength: A Mendelian randomization study.Medicine · 2026Article
- Neuronal Cell-Specific sc-eQTL and Integrative eQTL-pQTL Mendelian Randomization Prioritize CKAP2 as a Candidate Gene for Major Depressive Disorder.Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN · 2026Observational
- Bridging gut microbiota and polycystic ovary syndrome: the mediating role of metabolites and immune pathways via Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis.Journal of ovarian research · 2026Article
- Causal association between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis: A Mendelian randomization study.Medicine · 2026Article
- Plasma level of human epididymis protein 4 is associated with risk of future venous thromboembolism-the Trøndelag Health study.Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH · 2026Article
- FES eQTL suppresses the progression of primary aldosteronism by regulating CD3 on TD CD8br immune cells: Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis.Mammalian genome : official journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society · 2026Article
- Causal relationships between somatic movement, brain structures, and mental well-being: A multi-stage Mendelian randomization study.Psychological medicine · 2026Article
- Unraveling causal pathways in retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review of Mendelian randomization studies.International journal of retina and vitreous · 2025Review
- CXCL10 promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression by modulating the phosphate to urate ratio (PUR).Discover oncology · 2025Article
- Genetically proxied blood pressure, vascular brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease pathology.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2025Article
- Genetic Associations of Clonal Hematopoiesis With Cardioembolic Stroke: Insights From Genome-Wide Mendelian Randomization, Bulk RNA, Single-Cell RNA Sequencing.CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2025Article
- Gut metabolites and functional recovery after ischemic stroke: a genetic perspective.Mammalian genome : official journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society · 2025Article
- Celiac Disease Increases the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis: Evidence from Mendelian Randomization and the Role of CCL19.Experimental neurobiology · 2025Article
- (Dys)regulation of the Immune System in Parkinson's Disease: Methodologies, Techniques, and Key Findings from Human Studies.Aging and disease · 2025Review
- Impact of Conventional Stroke Risk Factors on Early- and Late-Onset Ischemic Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study.Stroke · 2025Article
- Article
- The causal association between resting state intrinsic functional networks and neurodegeneration.Brain communications · 2025Article
- A Mendelian Randomization Study of the Association Between Loud Music Exposure Frequency and Anxiety Disorders in European Populations.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2025Article
- Causal role of oxidative stress in age-related macular degeneration: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.International journal of ophthalmology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
10 authors.
Eloi GagnonFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Iyas DaghlasFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-6924-0641
Loukas ZagkosFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-7700-8102
Muralidharan SargurupremrajFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-1684-3750
Marios K GeorgakisFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3507-3659
Christopher D AndersonFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-0053-2002
Helene T CronjeFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Stephen BurgessFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Benoit J ArsenaultFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Dipender GillFrom the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute (E.G., B.J.A.), Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neurology (I.D.), University of California San Francisco; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (L.Z., D.G.), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.S.), University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (M.K.G., C.D.A.), Cambridge, MA; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) (M.K.G.), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany; Center for Genomic Medicine (C.D.A.), Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Neurology (C.D.A.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Public Health (H.T.C.), Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; MRC Biostatistics Unit (S.B.), and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit (S.B.), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Medicine (B.J.A.), Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-7312-7078
Funding
South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterP30AG066546 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER · PI Mohamad Habes · 2021 to 2026
$24.0MSequencing Annotation and Functional Analysis in Risk of Intracerebral HemorrhageR01NS103924 · NINDS · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI ANDERSON, CHRISTOPHER DAVID · 2018 to 2022
$3.4MAmerican Heart Association-American Stroke Association 18SFRN34250007British Heart Foundation RE/18/4/34215Medical Research Council MC_UU_00002/7NIA NIH HHS P30 AG066546NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS103924Wellcome Trust 100114
Abstract
The Mendelian randomization (MR) paradigm allows for causal inferences to be drawn using genetic data. In recent years, the expansion of well-powered publicly available genetic association data related to phenotypes such as brain tissue gene expression, brain imaging, and neurologic diseases offers exciting opportunities for the application of MR in the field of neurology. In this review, we discuss the basic principles of MR, its myriad applications to research in neurology, and potential pitfalls of injudicious applications. Throughout, we provide examples where MR-informed findings have shed light on long-standing epidemiologic controversies, provided insights into the pathophysiology of neurologic conditions, prioritized drug targets, and informed drug repurposing opportunities. With the ever-expanding availability of genome-wide association data, we project MR to become a key driver of progress in the field of neurology. It is therefore paramount that academics and clinicians within the field are familiar with the approach.
Indexed as
Genome-Wide Association StudyNeurologyBrainDrug RepositioningHumansMendelian Randomization Analysis
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