Myelin basic protein and occludin may be the biomarkers to diagnose leukoaraiosis and cognitive dysfunction

Leukoaraiosis (LA) can lead to a range of clinical symptoms, with cognitive dysfunction being the most prominent. However, the biomarkers that could assist in the early diagnosis of LA and predict disease progression are lacking. Myelin basic protein (MBP), a key component of the myelin sheath, and Occludin (OCLN), a critical tight junction protein maintaining blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, are released into circulation upon white matter and BBB damage, making them promising candidate biomarkers. Clinical data and blood samples were collected from 99 healthy individuals and 99 patients with LA. The levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) and occludin (OCLN) in peripheral blood were measured in both groups, and the correlation between these proteins and clinical features was analyzed. The levels of MBP and OCLN in the peripheral blood of the LA group were significantly elevated compared to those of the control group. The MBP and OCLN possessed outstanding diagnostic accuracy. Importantly, MBP level showed a positive correlation with the severity of LA, and a significant correlation was observed between MBP and cognitive function. MBP and OCLN may serve as biomarkers for LA, with MBP showing potential value in diagnosing LA-associated cognitive dysfunction.