High Body Mass Index as a Causal Risk Factor for Vascular-Related Dementia: A Mendelian Randomization Study

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High body mass index (BMI) is identified as a causal risk factor for vascular-related dementia according to Mendelian randomization analysis.
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The odds ratio for vascular-related dementia increases significantly with higher BMI, indicating a strong association.
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Systolic and diastolic blood pressure mediate a substantial portion of the genetic effect of BMI on vascular-related dementia.
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The study utilized both individual-level and summary-level data from multiple cohorts to validate findings on BMI and dementia.
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High BMI and hypertension are highlighted as important modifiable risk factors for the prevention of vascular-related dementia.

The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

by Liv Tybjærg Nordestgaard, Jiao Luo, Frida Emanuelsson, Genevieve Leyden, Eleanor Sanderson, George Davey Smith, Mette Christoffersen, Shoaib Afzal, Marianne Benn, Børge G Nordestgaard, Anne Tybjærg-Hansen, Ruth Frikke-Schmidt
January 22, 2026

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