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Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein and cognitive function in elderly women
Pirjo Komulainen1, Timo A Lakka, Miia Kivipelto
1Kuopio Research Institute of Exercise Medicine, Finland. Pirjo.Komulainen@uku.fi
Age and Ageing
|June 1, 2007
Summary
Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in elderly women predicts long-term memory decline. This inflammatory marker may identify individuals at higher risk for cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing cognitive health.
- However, the specific relationship between inflammatory markers and cognitive function requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that elevated serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) predicts cognitive impairment in elderly women.
- To assess the predictive value of hs-CRP, a marker of low-grade inflammation, on cognitive function over a 12-year period.
Main Methods:
- A 12-year population-based follow-up study involving 97 women aged 60-70 years at baseline.
- Serum hs-CRP levels were measured using a high-sensitivity assay.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a detailed cognitive test battery evaluating memory and cognitive speed.
Main Results:
- Higher baseline hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with poorer memory performance at the 12-year follow-up.
- This association remained significant after adjusting for multiple potential confounders, including age, education, depression, hormone replacement therapy, smoking, LDL cholesterol, and body mass index.
- A linear trend indicated that memory decline worsened with increasing hs-CRP levels at baseline; no association was found with cognitive speed or MMSE scores.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum hs-CRP concentration is a significant predictor of poorer memory function in elderly women 12 years later.
- Hs-CRP may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying elderly women at increased risk of cognitive decline, particularly memory impairment.
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