The potential role of gray matter volume differences in the association between smoking and depression: A narrative review

Margot P van de Weijer*, Jentien Vermeulen, Anouk Schrantee, Marcus R Munafò, Karin J H Verweij, Jorien L Treur

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article (Academic Journal)peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Tobacco use and major depression are both leading contributors to the global burden of disease and are also highly comorbid. Previous research indicates bi-directional causality between tobacco use and depression, but the mechanisms that underlie this causality are unclear, especially for the causality from tobacco use to depression. Here we narratively review the available evidence for a potential causal role of gray matter volume in the association. We summarize the findings of large existing neuroimaging meta-analyses, studies in UK Biobank, and the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through MetaAnalysis (ENIGMA) consortium and assess the overlap in implicated brain areas. In addition, we review two types of methods that allow us more insight into the causal nature of associations between brain volume and depression/smoking: longitudinal studies and Mendelian Randomization studies. While the available evidence suggests overlap in the alterations in brain volumes implicated in tobacco use and depression, there is a lack of research examining the underlying pathophysiology. We conclude with recommendations on (genetically-informed) causal inference methods useful for studying these associations.
Original languageEnglish
Article number105497
Number of pages12
JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume156
Early online date13 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The potential role of gray matter volume differences in the association between smoking and depression: A narrative review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this