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Sex Differences in the Association Between Pentraxin 3 and Cognitive Decline: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Lindsay M Miller1,2, Nancy S Jenny3, Andreea M Rawlings2,4
1Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of San Diego, La Jolla.
Summary
Vascular inflammation, marked by Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), is linked to cognitive decline in older women but not men. This study highlights sex differences in inflammation
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Systemic inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein) is linked to cognitive decline.
- The role of vascular inflammation in cognitive function is less understood.
- Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is identified as a novel marker for vascular inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vascular inflammation (PTX3) and cognitive decline in older adults.
- To examine potential mediation by cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.
- To explore effect modification by sex and APOE4 genotype.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 1,547 adults aged 65+ from the Cardiovascular Health Study.
- Assessment of PTX3 levels and cognitive function (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination - 3MSE) over up to 9 years.
- Analysis of cognitive change, incident cognitive impairment, CVD events, sex, and APOE4.
Main Results:
- Cognitive decline averaged 0.77 points/year on the 3MSE.
- Higher PTX3 levels were associated with greater cognitive decline in women (0.20 points/year per SD increase), but not men.
- Sex was a significant effect modifier (p=0.02); APOE4 did not modify the association in women, but a protective effect of PTX3 on cognitive impairment was observed in men.
Conclusions:
- Vascular inflammation, indicated by PTX3, is significantly associated with cognitive decline in older women.
- This association was not observed in older men.
- Findings suggest sex-specific relationships between vascular inflammation and cognitive aging.
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