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Plasma proteins, cognitive decline, and 20‐year risk of dementia in the Whitehall II and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities studies
Author(s) -
Lindbohm Joni V.,
Mars Nina,
Walker Keenan A.,
SinghManoux Archana,
Livingston Gill,
Brunner Eric J.,
Sipilä Pyry N.,
Saksela Kalle,
Ferrie Jane E.,
Lovering Ruth C.,
Williams Stephen A.,
Hingorani Aroon D.,
Gottesman Rebecca F.,
Zetterberg Henrik,
Kivimäki Mika
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.12419
Subject(s) - dementia , cognitive decline , cohort , cohort study , cognition , prospective cohort study , disease , medicine , risk factor , gerontology , alzheimer's disease , psychology , psychiatry
Plasma proteins affect biological processes and are common drug targets but their role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias remains unclear. We examined associations between 4953 plasma proteins and cognitive decline and risk of dementia in two cohort studies with 20‐year follow‐ups. Methods In the Whitehall II prospective cohort study proteins were measured using SOMAscan technology. Cognitive performance was tested five times over 20 years. Linkage to electronic health records identified incident dementia. The results were replicated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Results Fifteen non‐amyloid/non‐tau–related proteins were associated with cognitive decline and dementia, were consistently identified in both cohorts, and were not explained by known dementia risk factors. Levels of six of the proteins are modifiable by currently approved medications for other conditions. Discussion This study identified several plasma proteins in dementia‐free people that are associated with long‐term risk of cognitive decline and dementia.