Open AccessMendelian randomization: A biologist's perspective
Author(s) -
Subhoshree Ghose,
Akash Kumar Bhaskar,
Anju Sharma,
Shantanu Sengupta
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the practice of cardiovascular sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2454-2830
pISSN - 2395-5414
DOI - 10.4103/jpcs.jpcs_62_16
Subject(s) - mendelian randomization , mendelian inheritance , disease , genetic association , perspective (graphical) , genotype , biology , biomarker , genetics , medicine , single nucleotide polymorphism , genetic variants , gene , computer science , artificial intelligence
Mendelian randomization (MR) is a statistical technique used by genetic epidemiologists to determine causal effects, i.e. whether a biomarker actually influences disease risk, is it just a statistical association. It uses common genetic polymorphisms with known biological effects (propensity to drink alcohol) or effects that mimic modifiable exposures (raised blood cholesterol). For MR, it is necessary that the genotype only affects the disease status indirectly through its effect on the exposure of interest