Associations among cognitive performance, VCAM-1, and GFAP in black adults: The ARCHES study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Astrocytic injury, indicated by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and endothelial activation, reflected by vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), are linked in the neurovascular system.
• These processes may contribute to cognitive performance variations in cognitively healthy individuals.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for identifying factors influencing cognitive aging, particularly in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the modifying role of VCAM-1 on the association between GFAP and cognitive function in cognitively unimpaired Black adults.
• To explore potential biomarkers for cognitive variability in aging.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 313 Black adults (≥45 years) from the ARCHES study.
• Cognitive assessment using the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
• Quantification of plasma GFAP and VCAM-1 via ultrasensitive immunoassays; statistical modeling to test interactions, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• No independent associations were found between VCAM-1, GFAP, and PACC scores.
• A significant interaction between VCAM-1 and GFAP was observed, indicating VCAM-1 modifies the GFAP-PACC relationship (p=0.013).
• This interaction remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, education, Area Deprivation Index, BMI, and APOE ε4 status; no significant associations were found for MoCA.

Conclusions:

• VCAM-1 may modulate the relationship between astrocytic injury (GFAP) and cognitive performance in cognitively unimpaired Black adults.
• These findings highlight the complex interplay of neurovascular factors in cognitive health within this demographic.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical implications of this interaction.