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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Increased S100beta is associated with reduced cognitive function in healthy older adults
Suhrida Yadavalli1, John Gunstad, Ellen Glickman
1Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA. syadaval@kent.edu
Neuropsychobiology
|June 17, 2008
Summary
In healthy older adults, higher S100beta protein levels, indicating blood brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, correlate with poorer performance on cognitive tests assessing memory and attention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vascular pathology is linked to cognitive decline in older adults.
- Blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a potential mechanism for this decline.
- Previous studies show BBB alterations in clinical populations, but not in healthy older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between blood brain barrier (BBB) function and cognitive performance in neurologically healthy older adults.
- To determine if serum S100beta levels, a marker of BBB integrity, are associated with cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- 35 healthy older adults without neurological or psychiatric history participated.
- Participants underwent blood draws for serum S100beta quantification.
- Neuropsychological testing was performed to assess cognitive domains.
Main Results:
- Elevated serum S100beta levels were inversely correlated with memory performance (r = 0.43, p = 0.02).
- S100beta levels also showed inverse relationships with psychomotor speed and visual attention (r = 0.37, p = 0.05).
- A significant inverse correlation was found with working memory (r = -0.48, p = 0.008).
Conclusions:
- Increased S100beta levels are associated with diminished cognitive function in healthy older adults.
- These findings suggest that blood brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction may play a role in age-related cognitive decline.
- Further research, including longitudinal studies with neuroimaging, is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
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