Genetic underpinnings and causal effects of brain structure and function on chronic pain intensity.

ABSTRACT: Chronic pain represents a major clinical burden, with its intensity being a key measure of its severity. However, the genetic and neural underpinnings of chronic pain intensity remain unraveled. Here, we identified six genetic loci (including a novel discovery) significantly associated with chronic pain intensity using a genome-wide association study in the UK Biobank (n = 134,627). We then systematically investigate its relationship with 3924 brain imaging-derived phenotypes. Phenotypic correlation analyses revealed 29 imaging-derived phenotypes predictive of future chronic pain intensity. Genetic correlation and polygenic risk score analyses showed 13 of these imaging-derived phenotypes share a genetic basis with chronic pain intensity. Mediation analyses indicated that 12 imaging-derive

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12612055 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature