Education

Mendelian Randomisation [GE10]

Course highlights

EC points

0.9

Months

April

Course days

Tuesday to Thursday

Faculty

Prof. Nuala Sheehan, PhD, Elinor Jones, PhD

Course fee

€ 610

Location

Erasmus MC, Rotterdam NL

Level

Intermediate

Prerequisites

Understanding of genetic epidemiology and Statistics (elementary probability, and regression analysis)

Disciplines

  • Genetic Epidemiology

Application

How to apply

Downloads

Detailed information about this course:

Description

This 3-day course aims to give an overview of recent developments in drawing causal inferences from epidemiological data using Mendelian randomization and is aimed at individuals with a background in statistics or epidemiology with a strong statistics component. Theoretical discussion will be accompanied by introduction to available software and lab practicals.

The first day will comprise a brief introduction to graphical models since these provide a natural framework for expressing and manipulating many of the concepts involved. We will then go on to causal modelling and the need for a formal causal framework before explicitly considering instrumental variable methods with Mendelian randomisation applications as the primary example.

On the second day, a practical session in analysing Mendelian randomization studies will put into focus what can and cannot be done. We then continue with the discussion of various theoretical issues, including the introduction of Bayesian approaches to Mendelian randomization.

The final day will start with a practical session in analysing Mendelian randomization studies using a Bayesian approach. We conclude by introducing current topics of interest including checking for violations of assumptions, the use of multiple instruments and implications for case-control data.

N.B.: This course is organised every other year.

Objectives

  • Gain insight in new developments in the field of genetic epidemiology.
  • To gain insight into disentangling the concepts of causation and association.

Participant profile

Epidemiologists, geneticists, biostatisticians, investigators/physicians involved in clinical and pharmacological research.

Assessment

Attendance, Assignment(s)


Reduction on fees

PLEASE NOTE THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RESEARCH MASTERS (120 EC points)

50% reduction on our fees for participating institutes of NIHES

This 50% reduction is offered to participants formally appointed at the departments or sections participating in NIHES.

University Medical Center Rotterdam/Erasmus University Rotterdam:

  • Department of Epidemiology
  • Department of Public Health
  • Department of Psychiatry, Section of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy
  • Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology
  • Department of Medical Informatics
  • Department of General Practice
  • Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management
  • Generation R

50% reduction on our fees for NIHES affiliated partners

This 50% reduction is offered to participants formally appointed at the following NIHES affiliated partners:

University Medical Center Rotterdam/Erasmus University Rotterdam, departments of:

  • Dermatology
  • General Paediatrics
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Institute of Medical Education Research Rotterdam (iMERR)

Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital

  • Department of Cancer Epidemiology

25% reduction on our fees for partner institutes of NIHES

For participants formally appointed at the following departments, institutes:

  • Departments of Erasmus MC (except the departments mentioned above)
  • Addiction Research Institute (IVO)
  • Integraal Kankercentrum Zuid (IKZ)
  • Pallas Health Research and Consultancy
  • Municipal Health Service Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam)
  • Municipal Health Service Rotterdam (GGD Rotterdam)
  • Havenpolikliniek
  • Admiraal De Ruyter Ziekenhuis

25% reduction for all (international) PhD students
Please state your supervisor/promotor’s name and email address on the application form (remarks field).

25% reduction on our course fees (maximum 3 EC points per academic year) for all NIHES alumni
Please state that you are a NIHES alumnus/alumna and the academic year you graduated (remarks field). Please note that the reduction on fees for alumni does not apply to the Erasmus Summer Programme.