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

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-derived phenotypes mediate genetic effects on chronic pain intensity. Mendelian randomization further supported a causal influence of three imaging-derived phenotypes, including brain structure and functional network connectivity, on chronic pain intensity. Our findings elucidate the genetic architecture and neurobiological pathways of chronic pain intensity, highlighting the brain’s central role in chronic pain pathophysiology. Chronic pain severity is influenced by genetics and brain structure, but mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the authors identify genetic loci linked to pain intensity and show that specific brain imaging traits mediate and causally influence chronic pain.