Mendelian Randomization Analysis as a Tool to Gain Insights into Causes of Diseases: A Primer
Adrienne Tin, Anna Köttgen
Abstract
Many Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have been published recently, with inferences on the causal relationships between risk factors and diseases that have potential implications for clinical research. In nephrology, MR methods have been applied to investigate potential causal relationships of traditional risk factors, lifestyle factors, and biomarkers from omics technologies with kidney function or CKD. This primer summarizes the basic concepts of MR studies, highlighting methods used in recent applications, and emphasizes key elements in conducting and reporting of MR studies that are important for interpreting the results.
Topics & Concepts
Mendelian randomizationCausal inferencePrimer (cosmetics)Computational biologyMedicineBioinformaticsBiologyGeneticsPathologyGenetic variantsGeneChemistryOrganic chemistryGenotypeGenetic Associations and EpidemiologyLiver Disease Diagnosis and TreatmentFolate and B Vitamins Research