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Baroreflex function is reduced in Alzheimer's disease: a candidate biomarker?
Aisha S S Meel-van den Abeelen1, Joep Lagro, Erik D Gommer
1Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Neurobiology of Aging
|November 13, 2012
Summary
Baroreflex function is reduced in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) treatment improved baroreflex, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for AD and cardiovascular links.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
Background:
- The baroreflex (BR) is crucial for autonomic blood pressure control.
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known to affect the autonomic system, but detailed BR properties in AD remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate baroreflex function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.
- To determine the influence of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) on baroreflex in AD.
- To explore baroreflex as a potential biomarker linking cardiovascular disease and AD.
Main Methods:
- Baroreflex (BR) sensitivity was assessed in 18 AD patients, 11 MCI patients, and 19 healthy controls.
- BR was re-evaluated in AD patients after ChEI treatment.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to establish a BR cutoff value and validate it.
Main Results:
- BR was significantly lower in AD compared to MCI (p < 0.05) and in MCI compared to controls (p < 0.01).
- ROC analysis showed high diagnostic accuracy (89% sensitivity, 94% specificity) for distinguishing AD from controls.
- ChEI treatment led to a significant 66% increase in BR in AD patients (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Baroreflex function is demonstrably reduced in Alzheimer's disease.
- Cholinesterase inhibitor treatment can improve baroreflex function in AD patients.
- Baroreflex may serve as a valuable biomarker for understanding the interplay between cardiovascular health and AD.
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