High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, Its Change, and Cognitive Function: A National Population-Based Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a factor in age-related cognitive decline.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) is a systemic inflammation marker.
• Understanding the relationship between Hs-CRP and cognitive health is crucial for developing preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between baseline Hs-CRP levels and changes in Hs-CRP with cognitive decline and impairment.
• To determine if Hs-CRP can serve as a predictive biomarker for cognitive deterioration in middle-aged and older adults.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a prospective cohort.
• Employed linear mixed models and Cox proportional hazard models for analysis.
• Analyzed repeated measurements of Hs-CRP and cognitive function over a 7-year follow-up period in 7385 participants.

Main Results:

• Participants in the highest Hs-CRP quartile exhibited a faster rate of cognitive decline and a higher risk of cognitive impairment compared to the lowest quartile.
• Individuals with elevated Hs-CRP levels showed significantly faster cognitive decline than those with stable levels.
• Longitudinal associations between baseline Hs-CRP, elevated Hs-CRP, and long-term cognitive deterioration were significant.

Conclusions:

• Baseline Hs-CRP levels and elevated Hs-CRP are significantly associated with long-term cognitive deterioration.
• Hs-CRP may function as a predictive biomarker for cognitive decline in middle-aged and older populations.
• Further research into the inflammatory pathways underlying cognitive decline is warranted.