Relationship between MMP-9 serum levels and tHcy levels and total imaging load and cognitive dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common cause of cognitive impairment.
• Biomarkers are needed to assess cognitive decline in CSVD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cognitive dysfunction in CSVD patients.
• To evaluate the predictive value of MMP-9 for cognitive impairment and total imaging load in CSVD.

Main Methods:

• 80 CSVD patients underwent neuroimaging and cognitive function tests.
• Serum MMP-9 levels were measured using ELISA.
• Patients were grouped based on cognitive function.

Main Results:

• Serum MMP-9 and total homocysteine (tHcy) levels negatively correlated with cognitive function (P<0.05).
• Serum MMP-9 demonstrated significant diagnostic value for cognitive impairment in CSVD (AUC=0.756).
• MMP-9 showed a specific correlation with total imaging load in CSVD patients.

Conclusions:

• Serum MMP-9 levels are significantly correlated with cognitive function in CSVD.
• MMP-9 is a valuable biomarker for diagnosing cognitive impairment associated with CSVD.
• MMP-9 may play a role in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline in CSVD.