Serum C-reactive protein is linked to cerebral microstructural integrity and cognitive function.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Inflammation Research
• Gerontology

Background:

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker for inflammation and vascular disease.
• Elevated CRP levels are associated with an increased risk of dementia.
• Underlying mechanisms linking inflammation to cognitive decline require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and brain microstructural integrity.
• To assess the association between hs-CRP and cognitive performance, specifically executive functions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 447 community-dwelling, stroke-free adults (mean age 63).
• High-field MRI (n=321) including DTI for fractional anisotropy (FA) and FLAIR for white matter hyperintensities.
• Cognitive assessment of verbal memory, word fluency, and executive functions.

Main Results:

• Higher hs-CRP levels correlated with poorer executive function performance (p=0.02).
• Increased hs-CRP was associated with reduced global FA (p<0.001) and regional FA in frontal lobes, corona radiata, and corpus callosum.
• No significant association found between hs-CRP and white matter hyperintensities or brain atrophy.

Conclusions:

• Low-grade inflammation, indicated by hs-CRP, is linked to cerebral microstructural damage.
• This microstructural disintegration predominantly impacts frontal brain pathways.
• Findings suggest a potential mechanism for inflammation-related cognitive decline, particularly affecting executive function.