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P1–200: Systemic markers of inflammation and cognitive decline in old age
Author(s) -
Schram Miranda T.,
Euser Sjoerd M.,
Craen Anton J.,
Witteman Jacqueline C.,
Frölich Marijke,
Hofman Albert,
Jolles Jelle,
Breteler Monique M.,
Westendorp Rudi G.
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1016/j.jalz.2006.05.575
Subject(s) - rotterdam study , cognition , cognitive decline , dementia , systemic inflammation , medicine , inflammation , population , apolipoprotein e , gerontology , c reactive protein , cohort study , demography , immunology , psychology , psychiatry , disease , environmental health , sociology
OBJECTIVESTo investigate whether higher circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) are associated with worse cognitive function and decline in old age.DESIGNTwo independent population-based cohort studies.SETTINGThe Rotterdam Study (mean follow-up 4.6 years) and the Leiden 85-plus Study (maximal follow-up 5 years).PARTICIPANTSThree thousand eight hundred seventy-four individuals, mean age 72, from the Rotterdam Study, and 491 individuals, all aged 85, from the Leiden 85-plus Study.MEASUREMENTSBoth studies assessed global cognition, executive function, and memory. Linear regression analyses were used in the current study to investigate the associations between inflammatory markers and cognitive function and decline.RESULTSIn the Rotterdam Study, higher levels of CRP and IL-6 were cross-sectionally associated with worse global cognition and executive function (P<.05). ACT was not associated with cognitive function. In the Leiden 85-plus Study, estimates were similar for CRP, although not statistically significant. Higher IL-6 levels were related to a steeper annual decline in memory function in the longitudinal analysis in the Leiden 85-plus Study (P<.05). The effect of higher IL-6 levels on global and memory function decline was stronger in apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 carriers (P-interaction=.01) than in those who were not (P-interaction=.05). In the Rotterdam Study, higher IL-6 levels were related to a steeper annual decline in global cognition in APOE epsilon4 carriers only.CONCLUSIONSystemic markers of inflammation are only moderately associated with cognitive function and decline and tend to be stronger in carriers of the APOE epsilon4 allele. Systemic markers of inflammation are not suitable for risk stratification.