A longitudinal analysis of bidirectional relationships between executive functioning and peripheral inflammation in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Executive functioning deficits are common in schizophrenia.
• Inflammation is implicated in these cognitive deficits.
• Previous studies explored baseline inflammation, but dynamic interrelationships require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate longitudinal trajectories of inflammatory markers and executive functioning.
• To examine the bidirectional associations between inflammation and cognition over time.
• To compare these relationships in people with schizophrenia (PwS) and non-psychiatric comparison (NC) participants.

Main Methods:

• Measured inflammatory markers (CRP, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) and executive functioning in 333 participants (171 PwS, 156 NC) over time.
• Utilized Linear Mixed Models (LMM) for longitudinal trajectories.
• Employed Continuous Time Structural Equation Modeling (CTSEM) to analyze bidirectional relationships.

Main Results:

• PwS exhibited lower executive functioning and higher levels of CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α compared to NCs.
• No significant changes over time or group-by-time interactions were found for the measured variables.
• Elevated IL-10 was associated with poorer subsequent executive functioning in both groups, more strongly in PwS.

Conclusions:

• Specific inflammatory markers, particularly IL-10, show nuanced associations with executive functioning changes over time.
• Findings suggest a complex interplay between the immune system and cognitive function in schizophrenia.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the dynamic immune-cognitive relationships in psychiatric disorders.