Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Associations between methylglyoxal and cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive function - The Maastricht Study
Eline Berends1, Simone J P M Eussen2, Walter H Backes3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University, Netherlands; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Netherlands.
Background:
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and dementia are increasingly prevalent in the aging population. Diabetes is a major risk factor for CSVD and cognitive impairment, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a glycolysis by-product and precursor of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), is elevated in diabetes and linked to microvascular complications. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between levels of MGO in plasma with MRI-derived markers of CSVD and cognitive impairment in a population-based setting.
Methods:
Cross-sectional data from The Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort with an oversampling of type 2 diabetes (age 59.7 ± 8.2 years, 49.9 % male, 26 % type 2 diabetes), were analysed. Plasma MGO concentrations were measured using UPLC-MS/MS after overnight fasting. Participants underwent MRI (n = 1789) and cognitive testing (n = 2515). CSVD markers included white matter hyperintensity volume, lacunar infarcts, and cerebral microbleeds. Logistic and linear regressions, adjusted for confounders, assessed the associations between plasma MGO levels, CSVD markers, and cognitive function.
Results:
No linear associations were found in any of the outcomes. When dividing the population into tertiles (lowest, intermediate, highest) based on plasma MGO concentration, intermediate compared to lowest levels of plasma MGO were associated with increased odds of having a lacunar infarct (OR: 2.26, 95 %CI: 1.27; 4.01). This was not observed for highest plasma MGO (OR: 1.56, 95 %CI: 0.85; 2.86).
Conclusion:
Intermediate plasma MGO levels were associated with the presence of more lacunar infarcts. Further research is needed to determine whether MGO contributes to lacunar infarct formation in a causal manner.
Related Concept Videos
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
Cognitive Dissonance
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Language and Cognition

