Fig. 1
From: Brain structures as potential mediators of the causal effect of COVID 19 on migraine risk
The overall design of the MR analysis in our study. Firstly, the study assessed the causal association between three COVID 19 traits and migraine via using LDSC, which followed by a bidirectional two-sample MR approach. Secondly, BIPs were explored as potential mediators in this association. The mediation effects were quantitatively assessed through three pivotal parameters: β0, β1, and β2. β0 quantifies the total effect of three COVID 19 traits on migraine, encompassing both direct and indirect effects. β1 measures the effect of three COVID 19 traits (exposure) on BIPs (mediator variables), thereby illuminating the mediating role of these traits. β2 evaluated the effect of BIPs (mediator variables) on migraine (outcome), independent of the direct effects of three COVID 19 traits.
