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Can fibrinolytic system components explain cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis?
María Yaiza Pérez-Martín1, Montserrat González-Platas1, Alejandro Jiménez-Sosa2
1Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|November 8, 2017
Summary
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels and gene variants were not associated with cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, PAI-1 plasma levels did correlate with neurological impairment in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- The fibrinolytic system influences central nervous system inflammation and degeneration.
- Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology and cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between plasma PAI-1 levels, PAI-1 gene polymorphisms, and cognitive performance in MS patients.
- To explore the relationship between PAI-1 and neurological impairment in MS.
Main Methods:
- 176 MS patients underwent neuropsychological testing (BRB-N).
- PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms were identified using PCR.
- Plasma PAI-1 levels were quantified via ELISA.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in PAI-1 genotypes were found between cognitively impaired (CI) and not cognitively impaired (NCI) groups.
- Cognitive performance did not correlate with plasma PAI-1 levels or PAI-1 gene polymorphisms.
- PAI-1 plasma levels showed a correlation with neurological impairment in MS patients.
Conclusions:
- The complex etiology of cognitive impairment in MS, involving focal lesions and diffuse damage, may explain the lack of PAI-1 association.
- The findings suggest PAI-1's role in MS cognitive function differs from its role in vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
- Further research involving PAI-1 plasma levels and cerebrospinal fluid measures is warranted to clarify its role in MS.
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