TY - JOUR
T1 - The potential role of gray matter volume differences in the association between smoking and depression
T2 - A narrative review
AU - van de Weijer, Margot P
AU - Vermeulen, Jentien
AU - Schrantee, Anouk
AU - Munafò, Marcus R
AU - Verweij, Karin J H
AU - Treur, Jorien L
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors
PY - 2024/1/1
Y1 - 2024/1/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105497
DO - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105497
M3 - Review article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 38100958
SN - 0149-7634
VL - 156
JO - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
JF - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
M1 - 105497
ER -