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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
12:18

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

Increased plasma levels of lipocalin 2 in mild cognitive impairment

Jihye Choi1, Ho-Won Lee, Kyoungho Suk

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Brain Science and Engineering Institute, CMRI, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea.

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|April 6, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Plasma lipocalin 2 (LCN2) levels are elevated in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Higher LCN2 may help predict MCI progression to AD, indicating its role in early neuroinflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing cognitive decline.
  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor to AD, marked by memory loss.
  • Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is linked to brain inflammation, prompting investigation into its plasma levels in MCI and AD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate plasma LCN2 levels in individuals with MCI and AD compared to healthy controls.
  • To explore the correlation between plasma LCN2 levels and cognitive assessment scores.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 41 MCI patients, 62 AD patients, and 38 healthy controls.
  • Administered neuropsychological tests including MMSE and CDR.
  • Measured plasma LCN2 levels using ELISA.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher plasma LCN2 levels were observed in MCI patients compared to controls (p=0.005) and AD patients (p=0.009).
  • A negative correlation was found between LCN2 levels and CDR scores (r=-0.245, p=0.014).
  • A positive correlation was found between LCN2 levels and MMSE scores (r=0.317, p=0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated plasma LCN2 in MCI may indicate early neuroinflammation.
  • Plasma LCN2 could serve as a potential biomarker for predicting MCI progression to AD.

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