Key result
Genetic risk for smoking, obesity, and hypertension links to ~20% lower Alzheimer's risk, reflecting survivor bias.
Why the study?
The Lancet Commission identified 12 modifiable risk factors explaining 40% of dementia incidence, but whether these associations are causal is unclear.
Do genetically proxied modifiable risk factors identified by the Lancet Commission causally affect the risk of dementia subtypes?
Observational
Do genetically proxied modifiable risk factors identified by the Lancet Commission causally affect the risk of dementia subtypes?
Odds Ratio: 0.8 (95% CI 0.69–0.92)
p-value: p=0.002
Mendelian randomisation did not support the causal nature of several Lancet Commission risk factors for dementia, highlighting the impact of survivor bias in genetic studies of late-onset diseases.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Apparent genetic protection from smoking, obesity, and hypertension against Alzheimer's likely reflects survivor bias; leaves open causal roles of Lancet Commission factors in dementia.
Desai et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Dementia. Genetic proxied risk for higher levels of smoking, obesity, and blood pressure was evaluated on Risk of Alzheimer's disease (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.92, p=0.002). Genetic proxied risk for higher smoking (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.69-0.92), obesity, and blood pressure appeared protective against Alzheimer's disease, which post hoc analysis attributed to survivor bias.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: