A method that uses genetic variants as natural experiments to infer causal effects of exposures.
Genetic variants are randomly allocated at conception, like a natural randomised trial, so they can be used as instruments to test whether an exposure causes an outcome without confounding. Assumptions: the variant affects the outcome only through the exposure.
A method that uses genetic variants as natural experiments to infer causal effects of exposures.
Mendelian Randomisation is one of the 54 topics in Genetics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Quantitative Trait Loci, Polygenic Inheritance, Genome-Wide Association Studies.
Variants raising LDL cholesterol are associated with heart disease, supporting that LDL is causal.
Work through the Beginner topics in Genetics first, such as Heredity, Gene, Allele, then return to Mendelian Randomisation. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Mendelian Randomisation are Quantitative Trait Loci, Polygenic Inheritance, Genome-Wide Association Studies, Pleiotropy. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Mendelian Randomisation. To practise the whole of Genetics, use the Genetics quiz.
Mendelian Randomisation: A method that uses genetic variants as natural experiments to infer causal effects of exposures. Quantitative Trait Loci: Regions of the genome statistically associated with variation in continuous traits. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Quantitative Trait Loci and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Genetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Regions of the genome statistically associated with variation in continuous traits.
🧬 GeneticsA trait controlled by many genes producing continuous variation, such as height and skin colour.
🧬 GeneticsScan many genomes for variants statistically linked to a trait or disease.
🧬 GeneticsA single gene influences several apparently unrelated traits, as in Marfan syndrome.
🧬 Genetics