Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T03:18:52.359Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) as a biomarker of cognitive decline at the end of life: contrasting age and time to death trajectories

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2017

Marcus Praetorius Björk  and
Boo Johansson
Marcus Praetorius Björk*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Centre for Ageing and Health, AgeCap, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
Boo Johansson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Centre for Ageing and Health, AgeCap, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Marcus Praetorius Björk, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Box 500, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. Phone: +46 31 786-1646. Email: [email protected].
Get access

Abstract

Background:

A recently published study suggests that Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) in midlife is related to an increased risk of dementia. In the present longitudinal study, we explore the effects of serum GGT on cognitive decline and dementia also in more advanced ages.

Methods:

We analyzed GGT in a sample of 452 individuals, aged 80 years and older at baseline, with the purpose to explore subsequent effects on cognitive performance. We specifically modeled GGT to cognitive change, time to death, and dementia.

Results:

Our main finding is that a higher level of GGT is associated with cognitive decline prior to death and vascular dementia in late life. These findings were evident across cognitive domains.

Conclusions:

This is the first longitudinal study to report on significant associations in late life between GGT, cognitive performance and dementia. Further research is needed to examine the underlying mechanisms of GGT as a marker of age-related cognitive decline.

Keywords

biomarkersGamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT)cognitive testinglongitudinal studiesvascular dementia
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 30 , Issue 7: Issue Theme: Benzodiazepines and Hypnotics , July 2018 , pp. 981 - 990
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric association (1987). Work Group to Revise DSM-III-R. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-III-R, 3rd edn, Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.Google Scholar
Bennett, S., Grant, M. M. and Aldred, S. (2009). Oxidative stress in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease: a common pathology. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 17, 245–257.Google Scholar
Berg, B., Estborn, B. and Tryding, N. (1981). Stability of serum and blood constituents during mail transport. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, 41, 425–430.Google Scholar
Debette, S. et al. (2011). Midlife vascular risk factor exposure accelerates structural brain aging and cognitive decline. Neurology, 77, 461–468.Google Scholar
Dhingra, R., Gona, P., Wang, T. J., Fox, C. S., D'agostino, R. B. and Vasan, R. S. (2010). Serum γ-glutamyl transferase and risk of heart failure in the community. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 30, 1855–1860.Google Scholar
Dureman, L. and Sälde, H. (1959). Psykometriska Och Experimentalpsykologiska Metoder för Klinisk Tillämpning. Uppsala, Sweden: Almqvist & WiksellGoogle Scholar
Emdin, M., Pompella, A. and Paolicchi, A. (2005). Gamma-glutamyltransferase, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease: triggering oxidative stress within the plaque. Ciriculation, 112, 2078–2080.Google Scholar
Gerstorf, D., Ram, N., Lindenberger, U. and Smith, J. (2013). Age and time-to-death trajectories of change in indicators of cognitive, sensory, physical, health, social, and self-related functions. Developmental Psychology, 49, 1805.Google Scholar
ICD-10: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems, 10th rev (1992). Geneva: World Health Organization.Google Scholar
Johansson, B. (1988/1989). The MIR – Memory-in-Reality Test. Stockholm: Psykologiförlaget AB.Google Scholar
Jonson, C.-O. and Molander, L. (1964). Manual of the CVB-Scales. Stockholm: Psykologi Förlaget.Google Scholar
Kapasi, A. and Schneider, J. A. (2016). Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment, clinical Alzheimer's disease, and dementia in older persons. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Basis of Disease, 1862, 878–886.Google Scholar
Kleemeier, R. W. (1962). Intellectual changes in the senium. Proceedings of the American Statistical Association, 1, 290–295.Google Scholar
Koenig, G. and Seneff, S. (2015). Gamma-glutamyltransferase: a predictive biomarker of cellular antioxidant inadequacy and disease risk. Disease Markers, 2015, 1–18.Google Scholar
Kunutsor, S. K. and Laukkanen, J. A. (2016). Gamma glutamyltransferase and risk of future dementia in middle-aged to older Finnish men: a new prospective cohort study. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 12, 931–941.Google Scholar
Kunutsor, S. K., Apekey, T. A. and Khan, H. (2014). Liver enzymes and risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Atherosclerosis, 236, 7–17.Google Scholar
Kunutsor, S. K., Apekey, T. A. and Seddoh, D. (2015). Gamma glutamyltransferase and metabolic syndrome risk: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 69, 136–144.Google Scholar
Lee, D. H., Steffen, L. M. and Jacobs, D. R. Jr. (2004). Association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and dietary factors: the coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 79, 600–605.Google Scholar
McClearn, G. E. et al. (1997). Substantial genetic influence on cognitive abilities in twins 80 or more years old. Science, 276, 1560–1563.Google Scholar
McKhann, G., Drachman, D., Folstein, M., Katzman, R., Price, D. and Stadlan, E.M. (1984). Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: report of the NINCDS-ADRDA Work Group under the auspices of department of health and human services task force on Alzheimer's disease. Neurology, 34, 939–944.Google Scholar
Nilssen, O., Forde, O. H. and Brenn, T. (1990). The tromso study. Distribution and population determinants of gamma-glutamyltransferase. American Journal of Epidemiology, 132, 318–326.Google Scholar
Nilsson, S. E., Johansson, B., Berg, S., Karlsson, D. and McClearn, G. E. (2002). A comparison of diagnosis capture from medical records, self-reports, and drug registrations: a study in individuals 80 years and older. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 14, 178–184.Google Scholar
Riegel, K. F. and Riegel, R. M. (1972). Development, drop, and death. Developmental Psychology, 6, 306.Google Scholar
Roman, G. C. et al. (1993). Vascular dementia: diagnostic criteria for research studies. Report of the NINDS-AIREN international workshop. Neurology, 43, 250–260.Google Scholar
Salvaggio, A., Periti, M., Miano, L., Tavanelli, M. and Marzorati, D. (1991). Body mass index and liver enzyme activity in serum. Clinical Chemistry, 37, 720–723.Google Scholar
Schilling, S. et al. (2013). APOE genotype and MRI markers of cerebrovascular disease Systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurology, 81, 292–300.Google Scholar
Thurstone, L. L. and Thurstone, T. G. (1949). Manual to SRA Primary Mental Abilities. Chicago: Science Research Associates.Google Scholar
Ward, A. et al. (2012). Prevalence of apolipoprotein E4 genotype and homozygotes (APOE e4/4) among patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroepidemiology, 38, 1–17.Google Scholar
Wechsler, D. (1945). A standardized memory scale for clinical use. The Journal of Psychology, 19, 87–95.Google Scholar
Whitfield, J. B. (2001). Gamma glutamyl transferase. Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 38, 263–355.Google Scholar
Whitfield, J. B., Zhu, G., Nestler, J. E., Heath, A. C. and Martin, N. G. (2002). Genetic covariation between serum γ-glutamyltransferase activity and cardiovascular risk factors. Clinical Chemistry, 48, 1426–1431.Google Scholar
Wilson, R. S., Segawa, E., Buchman, A. S., Boyle, P. A., Hizel, L. P. and Bennett, D. A. (2012). Terminal dedifferentiation of cognitive abilities. Neurology, 78, 1116–1122.Google Scholar
Yavuz, B. B. et al. (2008). Serum elevated gamma glutamyltransferase levels may be a marker for oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease. International Psychogeriatrics, 20, 815–823.Google Scholar