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Published on: April 23, 2021
Fibrinogen Levels and Cognitive Profile Differences in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Jung-Min Pyun1, Nayoung Ryoo2, Young Ho Park2
1Department of Neurology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea, pyun.jungmin5@gmail.com.
Background:
Fibrinogen is considered a marker of vascular pathology, indicating a weakened blood-brain barrier, and has a causative role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Little is known about the relationship between fibrinogen levels and cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to investigate differences in cognitive profiles according to plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with MCI and the influence of plasma fibrinogen levels on cognitive decline.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included 643 patients with MCI: 323 patients in the high fibrinogen (high fib) group and 320 patients in the low fibrinogen (low fib) group. A multiple linear regression model was performed to compare cognitive test performance between groups. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the hazard ratio of fibrinogen level for disease progression.
Results:
The high fib group demonstrated poorer performance in attention, executive function, and confrontation naming than the low fib group. After adjustment for APOE genotype, the high fib group was associated with poor attention and executive function. After adjustment for vascular risk factors including body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and smoking history, the high fib group showed declined attention and confrontation naming ability. High fibrinogen levels did not predict disease progression to CDR 1.
Conclusion:
High plasma fibrinogen levels were associated with poor performance in attention in patients with MCI, regardless of APOE genotype or vascular risk factors.
Insights
High fibrinogen levels are linked to poorer attention and executive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These findings highlight fibrinogen
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Fibrinogen is a marker of vascular pathology and neuroinflammation.
- Its role in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitive decline is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive differences based on plasma fibrinogen levels in MCI patients.
- To assess the impact of fibrinogen on cognitive decline in MCI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 643 MCI patients, divided into high and low fibrinogen groups.
- Multiple linear regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used for analysis.
Main Results:
- Higher fibrinogen levels correlated with poorer performance in attention, executive function, and naming.
- These associations persisted after adjusting for APOE genotype and vascular risk factors.
- High fibrinogen did not predict progression to CDR 1.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma fibrinogen is associated with impaired attention in MCI patients.
- This relationship is independent of APOE genotype and common vascular risk factors.
