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Identification of circulating risk biomarkers for cognitive decline in a large community-based population in
Yu Kang1,2, Zijuan Feng1, Qian Zhang3
1Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Insights
This study identified common and distinct risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in Chongqing. Blood biomarkers correlate with these factors, offering insights for targeted interventions in cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cognitive decline, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in aging populations.
- Understanding the interplay between established risk factors and underlying biological mechanisms is crucial for effective prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between blood-based pathologies and known risk factors for cognitive decline in a large, community-based cohort in Chongqing.
- To identify shared and distinct risk factors contributing to MCI and dementia.
- To explore correlations between risk factors and specific circulating biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of 26,554 residents aged 50 years and older from Chongqing.
- Application of multinomial logistic regression models to assess cognition level risk factors.
- Utilized propensity score matching and linear mixed effects models to analyze biomarker associations.
Main Results:
- Identified shared risk factors for MCI and dementia (e.g., age, lower education, stroke history) and unique factors for each stage.
- Age, education, occupation, hypertension, and epilepsy were linked to MCI progression to dementia.
- Correlations found between risk factors and biomarkers like NfL, GFAP, and Aβ, indicating axonal damage, glial activation, and amyloid pathology.
Conclusions:
- Common and distinct risk factors necessitate tailored interventions for different stages of cognitive decline.
- Observed correlations with blood biomarkers highlight potential targets for therapeutic strategies and disease management.
- Findings provide valuable insights into the biological underpinnings of cognitive impairment in an aging Chinese population.
Introduction:
This study aims to investigate the relationship between blood-based pathologies and established risk factors for cognitive decline in the community-based population of Chongqing, a region with significant aging.
Methods:
A total of 26,554 residents aged 50 years and older were recruited. Multinomial logistic regression models were applied to assess the risk factors of cognition levels. Propensity score matching and linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate the relationship between key risk factors and the circulating biomarkers.
Results:
Shared and distinct risk factors for MCI and dementia were identified. Age, lower education, medical history of stroke, hypertension, and epilepsy influenced mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progression to dementia. Correlations between key risk factors and circulating neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), amyloid β protein (Aβ)40, and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio suggest underlying mechanisms contributing to cognitive impairment.
Discussion:
The common and distinct risk factors across cognitive decline stages emphasize the need for tailored interventions. The correlations with blood biomarkers provide insights into potential management targets.
Highlights:
From a large community-based cohort study on the residents in Chongqing, we have identified that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia share several common risk factors, including age, female gender, rural living, lower education levels, and a medical history of stroke. However, each condition also has its own unique risk factors. Several factors contribute to the progression of MCI into dementia including age, education levels, occupation, and a medical history of hypertension and epilepsy. We discover the correlations between the risk factors for dementia and blood biomarkers that indicate the presence of axonal damage, glial activation, and Aβ pathology.
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