S100B and ADMA in cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomarkers
• Cerebrovascular Diseases

Background:

• Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) pathophysiology involves glial cell activation and endothelial dysfunction.
• S100B protein is highly expressed in glial cells.
• Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is linked to endothelial dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate elevated serum levels of S100B and ADMA in SVD patients.
• To determine the correlation between S100B, ADMA, and cognitive functioning in SVD.

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays measured S100B and ADMA in 210 SVD patients and 207 controls.
• Cognitive function assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
• SVD lesion types (ILI, multiple lacunar infarcts, leukoaraiosis, LA with atrophy) categorized via MRI.

Main Results:

• SVD patients exhibited higher S100B and ADMA levels compared to controls.
• S100B remained significant after adjusting for confounders; ADMA levels varied by lesion type (ILI, LA).
• SVD patients showed cognitive impairment, most severe in LA cases; S100B and ADMA correlated with cognitive decline in LA.

Conclusions:

• S100B and ADMA are elevated in cerebral small vessel disease.
• These biomarkers are associated with cognitive impairment, especially in patients with leukoaraiosis lesions.