Application of Mendelian Randomization in the MR-Base Database:Methodology
Hao Hua
Gheng Xinhuan
Jiang Hong
Geng Hui
Ma Mao
Mi Baibing
Abstract：To More and more epidemiological evidence shows that there is a complex causal relationship between environmental factors such as lifestyle and dietary habits and various health conditions.However,traditional observational studies are susceptible to confounding factors and cannot accurately reveal the causal relationship between diseases and the environment.Mendelian Randomization(MR)can effectively reduce confounding factors bias through the random allocation of genetic variations,thereby more reliably estimating causal effects.The MR-Base database,as the world's largest Mendelian Randomization research platform,collects genetic data from around the world and provides researchers with valuable resources for exploring the causal relationship between genetic variations and health outcomes.This article discusses the application of MR in the MR-Base database,aiming to introduce the basic principles,structure and functions of the database,as well as how to use these data to explore the potential association between environmental factors and health outcomes including cardiovascular disease,metabolic disease,and mental health research.At the same time,this article looks forward to the future development direction of MR methods,emphasizing its potential role in precision medicine and public health policy.
Keywords：MR-Base databaseMendelian randomizationGenetic variationInstrumental variables
Publication Date：2025-03-20
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 270-273 )