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Impact of hs-CRP concentration on brain structure alterations and cognitive trajectory in Alzheimer's disease
Ye Zhang1, Yasuko Tatewaki1,2, Taizen Nakase1,2
1Department of Aging Research and Geriatric Medicine, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Insights
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) may protect brain structure and cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Higher hs-CRP levels were linked to preserved brain structure and slower cognitive decline in these patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarkers
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant challenge, impacting brain structure and cognitive function.
- Understanding the role of inflammatory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets.
- Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD represent a spectrum of cognitive impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hs-CRP concentration and brain structural alterations.
- To examine the association between hs-CRP levels and cognitive function across the spectrum of cognitive decline.
- To determine the impact of hs-CRP on longitudinal cognitive changes in patients with MCI and AD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 313 patients (SCD, MCI, AD) for cross-sectional associations.
- Longitudinal analysis of 91 patients to assess annual cognitive changes.
- Multivariable linear regression models were employed to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Hs-CRP positively correlated with gray matter volume in the left fusiform and parahippocampal gyrus, particularly in MCI and AD patients.
- A significant interaction between diagnosis and hs-CRP was observed concerning annual cognitive changes.
- In AD patients, lower baseline hs-CRP levels predicted greater future cognitive decline.
Conclusions:
- Elevated hs-CRP levels may offer a protective effect on brain structure in individuals with cognitive impairment.
- Hs-CRP may play a role in modulating future cognitive trajectory among patients with MCI and AD.
- These findings suggest hs-CRP as a potential biomarker for cognitive changes in neurodegenerative diseases.
Introduction:
Present study was to investigate hs-CRP concentration, brain structural alterations, and cognitive function in the context of AD [Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD].
Methods:
We retrospectively included 313 patients (Mean age = 76.40 years, 59 SCD, 101 MCI, 153 AD) in a cross-sectional analysis and 91 patients (Mean age = 75.83 years, 12 SCD, 43 MCI, 36 AD) in a longitudinal analysis. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to investigate the relationship between hs-CRP concentration and brain structural alterations, and cognitive function, respectively.
Results:
Hs-CRP was positively associated with gray matter volume in the left fusiform (β = 0.16, pFDR = 0.023) and the left parahippocampal gyrus (β = 0.16, pFDR = 0.029). Post hoc analysis revealed that these associations were mainly driven by patients with MCI and AD. The interaction of diagnosis and CRP was significantly associated with annual cognitive changes (β = 0.43, p = 0.008). Among these patients with AD, lower baseline CRP was correlated with greater future cognitive decline (r = -0.41, p = 0.013).
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that increased hs-CRP level may exert protective effect on brain structure alterations and future cognitive changes among patients already with cognitive impairment.
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