Exploring the Association between Childhood Intelligence and Vestibular Function: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Anqi  Zhong; Shihan  Liu; Lingli  Zhang

doi:10.18502/ijph.v54i9.19866

Anqi Zhong The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Shihan Liu Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
Lingli Zhang Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v54i9.19866

Keywords: Childhood intelligence; Vestibular function; Mendelian randomization; Cognitive development; Genetic epidemiology

Abstract

Background: Childhood intelligence is a critical developmental milestone influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The interplay between intelligence and vestibular function, which is increasingly recognized for its relevance to cognitive abilities, has not been extensively studied. This study aims to investigate the potential association between childhood intelligence and vestibular dysfunction.

Methods: Utilizing a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, we analyzed data from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of European ancestry. Genetic instruments were selected based on GWAS significance, independence, and F-statistics. We employed MR Egger, Weighted median, Inverse variance weighted (IVW), Simple mode, and Weighted mode methods for robustness checks.

Results: Our analysis identified a significant inverse association between childhood intelligence and the risk of vestibular dysfunction (IVW: OR= 0.907, 95% CI = 0.843 - 0.976, p= 0.009). The MR Egger intercept test did not indicate horizontal pleiotropy, and heterogeneity analysis suggested consistency in the results.

Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence of a negative correlation between childhood intelligence and vestibular dysfunction risk, suggesting that higher intelligence may be associated with a lower likelihood of vestibular issues. This finding underscores the importance of vestibular function in cognitive development and offers insights for early intervention strategies.