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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Elevated C-reactive protein is related to cognitive decline in older adults with cardiovascular disease

Karin F Hoth1, Andreana P Haley, John Gunstad

  • 1Department of Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. hothk@njc.org

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|September 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

High C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, was linked to slight declines in attention and executive function over one year in adults with cardiovascular disease. This suggests inflammation may impact cognitive performance.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Systemic inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), is increasingly recognized as a factor in age-related cognitive decline.
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with heightened inflammatory processes.
  • Understanding the link between inflammation and cognition is crucial for developing interventions in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively examine the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and cognitive changes over a 1-year period.
  • To determine if baseline CRP predicts cognitive decline in adults with cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, 1-year follow-up study was conducted in an outpatient university medical setting.
  • Seventy-eight adults (aged 56-84) with cardiovascular disease were enrolled.
  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured, and cognitive function was assessed using a neuropsychological battery at baseline and 1-year follow-up.

Main Results:

  • High hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with subtle declines in attention-executive-psychomotor performance (CRP beta=-0.22, P=.04) after adjusting for age and baseline cognitive status.
  • No significant associations were found between hs-CRP levels and changes in global cognition, language, memory, or visuospatial abilities.
  • Hierarchical linear regression modeling was used to analyze the association between CRP and cognitive change across five domains.

Conclusions:

  • Preliminary evidence suggests that inflammation, potentially mediated by atherosclerotic processes, may contribute to changes in attention-executive-psychomotor performance.
  • Elevated CRP may serve as a biomarker for cognitive changes in individuals with cardiovascular disease.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking inflammation and cognitive decline in this population.
Abstract

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