Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
07:26

High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment

Published on: July 18, 2017

C-reactive protein, but not homocysteine, is related to cognitive dysfunction in older adults with cardiovascular

John Gunstad1, Linda Bausserman, Robert H Paul

  • 1Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. jgunstad@kent.edu

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
|May 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

In older adults with cardiovascular disease, C-reactive protein (CRP) is linked to cognitive decline, but homocysteine (HCY) is not. This suggests inflammation, not HCY, may impact cognition in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a known risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia.
  • Elevated homocysteine (HCY) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are implicated in cognitive dysfunction.
  • The independent contribution of HCY and CRP to cognitive risk in CVD patients is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between HCY and CRP levels and cognitive performance in older adults with CVD.

Main Methods:

  • 126 older patients with CVD underwent blood tests and neuropsychological evaluations.
  • A subset (n=37) had neuroimaging to assess white matter disease.
  • Statistical analyses adjusted for demographic and medical factors.

Main Results:

  • No significant relationship was found between HCY and cognitive performance.
  • CRP showed significant independent associations with global cognitive performance, attention, executive function, memory, and visuospatial abilities.
  • Neither HCY nor CRP correlated with white matter disease extent or brain volume.

Conclusions:

  • CRP, an inflammatory marker, is independently associated with cognitive function in older CVD patients.
  • HCY levels do not appear to impact cognition in this cohort.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of inflammation's effect on cognition and potential therapeutic targets.

Related Concept Videos

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Cognitive Development During Adulthood01:30

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...