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Circulating sphingolipids in relation to cognitive decline and incident dementia: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Kristine F Moseholm1, Héléne T Cronjé1, Manja Koch2
1Department of Public Health Section of Epidemiology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|August 12, 2024
Summary
Circulating sphingolipids, like ceramides and sphingomyelins, are linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk. Specific types, such as those with palmitic acid, indicate faster decline and increased dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
Background:
- The prospective association between circulating sphingolipid levels and cognitive decline or dementia risk remains unclear.
- Sphingolipids are crucial components of cell membranes and play roles in various biological processes, including neuronal function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma sphingolipid species and cognitive decline over six years.
- To examine the relationship between plasma sphingolipid levels and the risk of developing dementia.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples from 4488 older adults (mean age 76.2 years) were analyzed for 14 sphingolipid species.
- Cognitive function was assessed annually using the 3MSE and DSST over six years.
- Dementia incidence was adjudicated in a subset of 3050 participants.
Main Results:
- Higher levels of sphingomyelin-d18:1/16:0 (SM-16) correlated with faster cognitive decline (3MSE), while higher SM-d18:1/22:0 (SM-22) correlated with slower decline (DSST).
- Elevated plasma SM-16 and ceramide-d18:1/16:0 (Cer-16) were associated with an increased risk of incident dementia (HRs > 1.2).
- The impact of sphingolipids on cognitive decline varied based on the fatty acid chain length.
Conclusions:
- Specific sphingolipid species, including ceramides and sphingomyelins with palmitic acid, are prospectively associated with cognitive decline.
- Plasma sphingolipid profiles may serve as potential biomarkers for dementia risk.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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