Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Previous observational studies demonstrated that lung cancer and both Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) may be related. However, the results of different studies are still controversial, possibly due to differences in the types of lung cancer examined. To date, no research has discussed it further yet. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between different types of lung cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We extracted data sets related to the exposure (lung cancer) and outcomes (AD/PD) from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit open Genome-Wide Association Study project. Then, we carried out two-sample MR analyses to explore the connection between lung cancer and both AD and PD. We also conducted sensitivity analyses on positive results from the MR analysis to make sure the results were accurate. Our two-sample MR analyses revealed that lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is negatively related to AD (OR = 0.935, 95% CI [0.892-0.980], P = .005). According to the sensitivity and heterogeneity analyses, no heterogeneity (P = .223) and pleiotropy (P = .548) were observed in this positive result. Thus, the findings were reliable. The IVW findings suggested that LUSC and PD did not significantly correlate (OR = 0.920, 95% CI [0.778-1.089], P = .332). Similarly, there was no obvious connection between lung adenocarcinoma and AD (OR = 0.968, 95% CI [0.915-1.025], P = .270) and PD (OR = 0.981, 95% CI [0.851-1.130], P = .787), according to IVW results. Results of two-sample MR analyses revealed that LUSC and a decreased risk of AD may be related.
Key findings
- Previous observational studies demonstrated that lung cancer and both Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) may be related.
- However, the results of different studies are still controversial, possibly due to differences in the types of lung cancer examined.
- We also conducted sensitivity analyses on positive results from the MR analysis to make sure the results were accurate.
- Our two-sample MR analyses revealed that lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is negatively related to AD (OR = 0.935, 95% CI [0.892-0.980], P = .005).
- According to the sensitivity and heterogeneity analyses, no heterogeneity (P = .223) and pleiotropy (P = .548) were observed in this positive result.
Why it matters
This genetic analysis found that lung squamous cell carcinoma was negatively related to Alzheimer's disease, meaning it was associated with lower risk. The findings come from statistical genetic methods and do not show that having or treating lung cancer would prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Effect sizeOR = 0.935; OR = 0.920; OR = 0.968
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 35/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Medicine) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Medicine: journal h-index 285 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 3 / 3 | Effect reported with a statistic (interval, p-value, ratio or similar) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 0 / 4 | Last-listed author Ling Zhu: h-index 3 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Dali University: institution h-index 119 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41054040) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 35 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Zheng, W., Wang, Y. X., Zhu, E., Xu, R., & Zhu, L. (2025). Association between different types of lung cancer and neurodegenerative diseases: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000045048
Vancouver
Zheng W, Wang YX, Zhu E, Xu R, Zhu L. Association between different types of lung cancer and neurodegenerative diseases: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Medicine. 2025. doi:10.1097/md.0000000000045048. PMID: 41054040.
BibTeX
@article{zheng2025-41054040,
author = {Zheng, Wentao and Wang, Ying Xiang and Zhu, Enjiang and Xu, Rui‐Hua and Zhu, Ling},
title = {{Association between different types of lung cancer and neurodegenerative diseases: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study}},
journal = {Medicine},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1097/md.0000000000045048},
pmid = {41054040},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000045048}
}
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