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. 2024 Nov 22:15:1444885.
doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1444885. eCollection 2024.

Mendelian randomization analyses support causal relationships between systemic lupus erythematosus and brain imaging-derived phenotypes

Yan Ma  1 , Rui Li  1 , Qianqian Li  1 , Wanyi Lin  1 , Liangjing Lu  1
Affiliations

Mendelian randomization analyses support causal relationships between systemic lupus erythematosus and brain imaging-derived phenotypes

Yan Ma et al. Front Neurol. .

Abstract

Background: Neuropsychiatric disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) are often accompanied by alterations in brain structure and function. Subtle changes in brain structure also can be observed in non-NPSLE patients. MRI can be used as a non-invasive tool to determine nervous system involvement in SLE. However, the causal relationship between SLE and brain MRI remains unclear.

Methods: We designed two-sample MR analyses to identify brain IDPs associated with SLE. The GWAS summary data of 3,935 IDPs from the UK Biobank were used as outcomes in MR analyses.

Results: There were 25 statistically significant causal relationships between SLE and brain IDPs, in which the several cortical area, anterior corona radiata, and posterior limb of internal capsule were included. These results may suggest the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with SLE.

Conclusion: The findings revealed strong genetic evidence for causal links between SLE and neuroimaging phenotypes. Our results provide a promising method for the daily assessment and monitoring of SLE patients.

Keywords: MRI; Mendelian randomization; brain IDPs; neuroimaging phenotypes; neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus; systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Workflow of the causal inference between systemic lupus erythematosus and brain imaging-derived phenotypes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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