An inflammatory fingerprint in mild cognitively impaired patients is reversed by physical and cognitive training

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major global health concern, with number of affected individuals expected to rise to 139 million by 2050. Lifestyle factors play a significant role in modulating cognitive decline, and multidomain interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving outcomes for populations at risk. The Train the Brain (TTB) program-a combined physical and cognitive training delivered in a social setting-has previously demonstrated cognitive benefits within 7 months. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Given the role of inflammation in aging and neurodegeneration, we investigated whether specific immune biomarkers reflect the efficacy of this intervention.

We enrolled 76 individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) aged 65-80, into the TTB program. Participants underwent neurological assessment, MRI and blood sampling at baseline and after the intervention. Plasma levels of a comprehensive panel of immune - related biomarkers were measured through Proquantum and ELLA platforms.

At baseline, MCI participants displayed elevated levels of IL-17A, CX3CL1, CCL11, with a borderline increase of IL-6 and TNFα. Following the TTB intervention, we observed reductions in IL-6, IL-17A, TNFα, and CCL11 levels. In contrast, anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGFβ, IL-4) and BDNF declined in control group but were maintained or increased in the intervention group.

The TTB intervention not only improved cognitive and physical outcomes but also modulated key immune markers associated with neuroinflammation and aging. IL-10, in particular, emerged as potential peripheral biomarker of training efficacy. These findings support the utility of immune profiling in monitoring response to multidomain interventions and guiding personalized strategies for cognitive risk reduction.