Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization study

Abstract Background Implying connections with gut microbiome and serum metabolites, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) emerges as a prevalent neuropsychiatric condition in the elderly. Our objective was to systematically evaluate the potential causality between gut microbiome, derived m...

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Main Authors: Wencai Wang, Menghao Liu, Zun Wang, Luyao Ma, Yongqiang Zhao, Wei Ye, Xianfeng Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:BMC Neurology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04187-4
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author Wencai Wang
Menghao Liu
Zun Wang
Luyao Ma
Yongqiang Zhao
Wei Ye
Xianfeng Li
author_facet Wencai Wang
Menghao Liu
Zun Wang
Luyao Ma
Yongqiang Zhao
Wei Ye
Xianfeng Li
author_sort Wencai Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Implying connections with gut microbiome and serum metabolites, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) emerges as a prevalent neuropsychiatric condition in the elderly. Our objective was to systematically evaluate the potential causality between gut microbiome, derived metabolites, and INPH through the implementation of Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology. Methods We utilized summary data from extensive genome-wide association studies, encompassing 196 gut microbiomes from the MiBioGen consortium (n = 18,340), 486 serum metabolites from the KORA and TwinsUK studies (n = 7,824), and individuals with INPH (case = 767, control = 375,610), for MR causal estimates. The leading analysis utilized the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by weighted mode, MR-Egger, weighted median and simple mode approaches. Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger intercept, Cochran’s Q test, leave-one-out analysis and MR-PRESSO. Results Our study primarily relied on the IVW method, confirming a causality between 9 genetically predicted abundance of gut microbiomes and INPH. We found an adverse correlation with genetically predicted abundance of order Clostridiales, genus Eubacteriumeligensgroup, genus Gordonibacter, genus Ruminococcus1 concerning INPH. Conversely, class Melainabacteria, genus Eubacteriumruminantiumgroup, genus Adlercreutzia, genus Dialister, genus RikenellaceaeRC9gutgroup potentially correlated with increased INPH risk. As for derived metabolites, IVW estimates indicated a causal connection between 25 genetically predicted serum metabolites and INPH. Sensitivity analysis underscored the robustness of our findings. Conclusion Our MR analysis provides evidence supporting the causality of certain gut microbial taxa and their derived metabolites on INPH. This underscores the potential for interventions targeting specific gut microbiota and derived metabolites in the treatment and prevention of INPH.
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spelling doaj-art-e3a7c39fae52450f828e75160e8f96de2025-08-20T02:06:22ZengBMCBMC Neurology1471-23772025-06-0125111610.1186/s12883-025-04187-4Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization studyWencai Wang0Menghao Liu1Zun Wang2Luyao Ma3Yongqiang Zhao4Wei Ye5Xianfeng Li6The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityJuntendo UniversityFuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityAbstract Background Implying connections with gut microbiome and serum metabolites, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) emerges as a prevalent neuropsychiatric condition in the elderly. Our objective was to systematically evaluate the potential causality between gut microbiome, derived metabolites, and INPH through the implementation of Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology. Methods We utilized summary data from extensive genome-wide association studies, encompassing 196 gut microbiomes from the MiBioGen consortium (n = 18,340), 486 serum metabolites from the KORA and TwinsUK studies (n = 7,824), and individuals with INPH (case = 767, control = 375,610), for MR causal estimates. The leading analysis utilized the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by weighted mode, MR-Egger, weighted median and simple mode approaches. Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger intercept, Cochran’s Q test, leave-one-out analysis and MR-PRESSO. Results Our study primarily relied on the IVW method, confirming a causality between 9 genetically predicted abundance of gut microbiomes and INPH. We found an adverse correlation with genetically predicted abundance of order Clostridiales, genus Eubacteriumeligensgroup, genus Gordonibacter, genus Ruminococcus1 concerning INPH. Conversely, class Melainabacteria, genus Eubacteriumruminantiumgroup, genus Adlercreutzia, genus Dialister, genus RikenellaceaeRC9gutgroup potentially correlated with increased INPH risk. As for derived metabolites, IVW estimates indicated a causal connection between 25 genetically predicted serum metabolites and INPH. Sensitivity analysis underscored the robustness of our findings. Conclusion Our MR analysis provides evidence supporting the causality of certain gut microbial taxa and their derived metabolites on INPH. This underscores the potential for interventions targeting specific gut microbiota and derived metabolites in the treatment and prevention of INPH.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04187-4INPHGut microbiotaSerum metabolitesGWASMendelian randomization
spellingShingle Wencai Wang
Menghao Liu
Zun Wang
Luyao Ma
Yongqiang Zhao
Wei Ye
Xianfeng Li
Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization study
BMC Neurology
INPH
Gut microbiota
Serum metabolites
GWAS
Mendelian randomization
title Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization study
title_full Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization study
title_fullStr Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization study
title_full_unstemmed Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization study
title_short Causal associations between gut microbiota, metabolites, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a two‑sample Mendelian randomization study
title_sort causal associations between gut microbiota metabolites and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus a two sample mendelian randomization study
topic INPH
Gut microbiota
Serum metabolites
GWAS
Mendelian randomization
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04187-4
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