Factors affecting brain structure in smoking-related diseases: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease

Abstract

Background Changes in brain structure and cognitive decline occur in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). They also occur with smoking and coronary artery disease (CAD), but it is unclear whether a common mechanism is responsible. Methods Brain MRI markers of brain structure were tested for association with disease markers in other organs. Where possible, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to group markers within organ systems into composite markers. Univariate relationships between brain structure and the disease markers were explored using hierarchical regression and then entered into multivariable regression models. Results 100 participants were studied (53 COPD, 47 CAD). PCA identified two brain components: brain tissue volumes and white matter microstructure, and six components from other organ systems: respiratory function, plasma lipids, blood pressure, glucose dysregulation, retinal vessel calibre and retinal vessel tortuosity. Several markers could not be grouped into components and were analysed as single variables, these included brain white matter hyperintense lesion (WMH) volume. Multivariable regression models showed that less well organised white matter microstructure was associated with lower respiratory function (p = 0.028); WMH volume was associated with higher blood pressure (p = 0.036) and higher C-Reactive Protein (p = 0.011) and lower brain tissue volume was associated with lower cerebral blood flow (p<0.001) and higher blood pressure (p = 0.001). Smoking history was not an independent correlate of any brain marker. Conclusions Measures of brain structure were associated with a range of markers of disease, some of which appeared to be common to both COPD and CAD. No single common pathway was identified, but the findings suggest that brain changes associated with smoking-related diseases may be due to vascular, respiratory, and inflammatory changes.

Dissecting the Association of Genetically Predicted Neuroticism with Coronary Artery Disease: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

“…That neuroticism did not show significant causal effects on CAD should be interpreted with caution. Considering that high neuroticism may lead to unhealthy behaviors, namely smoking and sleep disorders, which are also risk factors for CAD [34][35][36], we suppose that those unhealthy behaviors are the causal link between neuroticism and CAD. However, from a more fundamental point of view-that is, from a genetic viewpoint-neuroticism does not increase the risk of CAD.…”

Inferring Multi-Organ Genetic Causal Connections using Imaging and Clinical Data through Mendelian Randomization

“…The copyright holder for this preprint this version posted June 26, 2023. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.22.23290355 doi: medRxiv preprint stress and anxiety, which are associated with changes in brain structure, may contribute to the development or exacerbation of respiratory conditions such as COPD 118,119 .…”