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Inflammatory biomarkers and motoric cognitive risk syndrome: Multicohort survey
Justina L Groeger1, Emmeline Ayers2, Nir Barzilai3,4
1Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
Background:
Inflammation may play a role in Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) syndrome, a pre-dementia syndrome comprised of slow gait and cognitive complaints. Our objective was to examine associations of inflammatory biomarkers with MCR.
Methods:
We examined association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with prevalent MCR using logistic regression in 3,101 older adults (52% female) from five cohorts (National Center for Geriatrics & Gerontology Study of Geriatric Syndromes [NCGG-SGS], Central Control of Mobility in Aging [CCMA], Tasmanian Study of Cognition and Gait [TASCOG], LonGenity, and Einstein Aging Study [EAS]). Associations were reported as odds ratios adjusted for sex, age, education, depressive symptoms, body mass index, and vascular diseases (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta-analysis and analyses stratified by vascular disease were also done.
Results:
Although associations between higher (worse) CRP and IL-6 tertiles and MCR were only seen in three out of the five cohorts (EAS, TASCOG, and LonGenity), when a pooled meta-analysis was performed, a robust association was demonstrated. In meta-analysis, highest tertiles of IL-6 (aOR 1.57, 95%CI 1.01- 2.44) and CRP (aOR 1.65, 95%CI 1.09-2.48) was associated with MCR versus lowest tertiles in the pooled sample. Higher CRP was associated with MCR among those with vascular disease in TASCOG and LonGenity cohorts, and among those without vascular disease in EAS.
Conclusions:
IL-6 and CRP levels are associated with MCR in older adults, and this association varies by presence of vascular disease.
Insights
Inflammation, indicated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), is linked to Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) syndrome in older adults. This association between inflammatory biomarkers and MCR varies with the presence of vascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) syndrome is a pre-dementia condition characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints.
- Inflammation is hypothesized to play a role in the development of MCR syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between inflammatory biomarkers, specifically interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and the prevalence of MCR syndrome in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was conducted using data from 3,101 older adults across five cohorts.
- Logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between IL-6 and CRP levels and MCR.
- Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders including age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, body mass index, and vascular diseases.
Main Results:
- A pooled meta-analysis revealed a significant association between the highest tertiles of IL-6 and CRP and MCR (aOR 1.57 and 1.65, respectively).
- Associations varied across cohorts, with significant links observed in three out of five studies.
- Higher CRP levels were associated with MCR in individuals with and without vascular disease, depending on the cohort.
Conclusions:
- Elevated levels of IL-6 and CRP are associated with Motoric Cognitive Risk syndrome in older adults.
- The relationship between these inflammatory biomarkers and MCR is influenced by the presence or absence of vascular disease.
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