Open AccessCorrelation between high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and brain gray matter volume in healthy elderly subjects
Author(s) -
Taki Yasuyuki,
Thyreau Benjamin,
Kinomura Shigeo,
Sato Kazunori,
Goto Ryoi,
Wu Kai,
Kakizaki Masako,
Tsuji Ichiro,
Kawashima Ryuta,
Fukuda Hiroshi
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.22073
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , grey matter , gray (unit) , voxel based morphometry , voxel , medicine , psychology , brain size , cardiology , c reactive protein , white matter , correlation , neuroscience , pathology , inflammation , nuclear medicine , radiology , mathematics , geometry
Although elevated serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) is related to atherosclerosis, brain infarction, and cognitive decline, it has not been clarified whether increased hsCRP is associated with the decline in brain gray matter volume. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between hsCRP levels and brain regional gray matter volume using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 109 community‐dwelling healthy elderly subjects. Brain MRIs were processed with voxel‐based morphometry using a custom template by applying diffeomorphic anatomical registration using the exponentiated lie algebra (DARTEL) procedure. We found a significant negative correlation between regional gray matter volume of the posterior and lateral aspects of the left temporal cortex and hsCRP level after adjusting for age, gender, and intracranial volume. Our results suggest that subjects who have mild inflammation related to arteriosclerosis have decreased regional gray matter volume in the posterior and lateral aspects of the left temporal cortex. Thus, preventing the progression of arteriosclerosis may be important for preventing a decrease in gray matter volume in healthy elderly subjects. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2418–2424, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.