Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-16T17:06:02.075Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cognitive decline: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2017

Fanfan Zheng
Affiliation:
Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
Wuxiang Xie*
Affiliation:
Peking University Clinical Research Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Wuxiang Xie, E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Abstract

Background

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been suggested to be involved in the process of cognitive decline. However, the results from previous studies exploring the relationship between hs-CRP concentration and cognitive decline are inconsistent.

Method

We employed data from wave 2 (2004–2005) to wave 7 (2014–2015) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline (wave 2) and reassessed biennially at waves 3–7.

Results

A total of 5257 participants (54.9% women, mean age 65.4 ± 9.4 years) with baseline hs-CRP levels ranged from 0.2 to 210.0 mg/L (median: 2.0 mg/L, interquartile range: 0.9–4.1 mg/L) were studied. The mean follow-up duration was 8.1 ± 2.8 years, and the mean number of cognitive assessment was 4.9 ± 1.5. Linear mixed models show that a one-unit increment in natural log-transformed hs-CRP was associated with faster declines in global cognitive scores [−0.048 points/year, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.072 to −0.023], memory scores (−0.022 points/year, 95% CI −0.031 to −0.013), and executive function scores (−0.025 points/year, 95% CI −0.043 to −0.006), after multivariable adjustment. Compared with the lowest quartile of hs-CRP, the multivariable-adjusted rate of global cognitive decline associated with the second, third, and highest quartile was faster by −0.043 points/year (95% CI −0.116 to 0.029), −0.090 points/year (95% CI −0.166 to −0.015), −0.145 (95% CI −0.221 to −0.069), respectively (p for trend <0.001). Similarly, memory and executive function also declined faster with increasing quartiles of hs-CRP.

Conclusions

A significant association between hs-CRP concentration and long-term cognitive decline was observed in this study. Hs-CRP might serve as a biomarker for cognitive decline.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 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

Alley, DE, Crimmins, EM, Karlamangla, A, Hu, P and Seeman, TE (2008) Inflammation and rate of cognitive change in high-functioning older adults. The Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 63, 5055.Google Scholar
Baars, MA, van Boxtel, MP, Dijkstra, JB, Visser, PJ, van den Akker, M, Verhey, FR and Jolles, J (2009) Predictive value of mild cognitive impairment for dementia. The influence of case definition and age. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 27, 173181.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Breitner, JC, Baker, LD, Montine, TJ, Meinert, CL, Lyketsos, CG, Ashe, KH, Brandt, J, Craft, S, Evans, DE, Green, RC, Ismail, MS, Martin, BK, Mullan, MJ, Sabbagh, M and Tariot, PN (2011) Extended results of the Alzheimer's disease anti-inflammatory prevention trial. Alzheimer's and Dementia 7, 402411.Google Scholar
Dik, MG, Jonker, C, Hack, CE, Smit, JH, Comijs, HC and Eikelenboom, P (2005) Serum inflammatory proteins and cognitive decline in older persons. Neurology 64, 13711377.Google Scholar
Dregan, A, Stewart, R and Gulliford, MC (2013) Cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive decline in adults aged 50 and over: a population-based cohort study. Age and Ageing 42, 338345.Google Scholar
Du Clos, TW (2000) Function of C-reactive protein. Annals of Medicine 32, 274278.Google Scholar
Duong, T, Acton, PJ and Johnson, RA (1998) The in vitro neuronal toxicity of pentraxins associated with Alzheimer's disease brain lesions. Brain Research 813, 303312.Google Scholar
Duong, T, Nikolaeva, M and Acton, PJ (1997) C-reactive protein-like immunoreactivity in the neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Research 749, 152156.Google Scholar
Gabay, C and Kushner, I (1999) Acute-phase proteins and other systemic responses to inflammation. The New England Journal of Medicine 340, 448454.Google Scholar
Gimeno, D, Marmot, MG and Singh-Manoux, A (2008) Inflammatory markers and cognitive function in middle-aged adults: The Whitehall II study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 33, 13221334.Google Scholar
Graig, R, Deverill, C and Pickering, K (2006). Quality control of blood saliva and urine analytes. In: Spronston, K and Mindell, J (eds). Health Survey for England 2004, Methodology and Documentation, vol. 2. London: The Information Centre.Google Scholar
Group, AR, Martin, BK, Szekely, C, Brandt, J, Piantadosi, S, Breitner, JC, Craft, S, Evans, D, Green, R and Mullan, M (2008) Cognitive function over time in the Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT): results of a randomized, controlled trial of naproxen and celecoxib. Archives of Neurology 65, 896905.Google Scholar
Hamer, M, Batty, GD and Kivimaki, M (2012) Risk of future depression in people who are obese but metabolically healthy: the English longitudinal study of ageing. Molecular Psychiatry 17, 940945.Google Scholar
Jefferson, AL, Massaro, JM, Beiser, AS, Seshadri, S, Larson, MG, Wolf, PA, Au, R and Benjamin, EJ (2011) Inflammatory markers and neuropsychological functioning: the Framingham Heart Study. Neuroepidemiology 37, 2130.Google Scholar
Jefferson, AL, Massaro, JM, Wolf, PA, Seshadri, S, Au, R, Vasan, RS, Larson, MG, Meigs, JB, Keaney, JF Jr., Lipinska, I, Kathiresan, S, Benjamin, EJ and DeCarli, C (2007) Inflammatory biomarkers are associated with total brain volume: the Framingham Heart Study. Neurology 68, 10321038.Google Scholar
Jones, RW (2001) Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease. Lancet 358, 436437.Google Scholar
Jordanova, V, Stewart, R, Davies, E, Sherwood, R, Prince, M (2007) Markers of inflammation and cognitive decline in an African-Caribbean population. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 22, 966973.Google Scholar
Komulainen, P, Lakka, TA, Kivipelto, M, Hassinen, M, Penttila, IM, Helkala, EL, Gylling, H, Nissinen, A and Rauramaa, R (2007) Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein and cognitive function in elderly women. Age and Ageing 36, 443448.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuo, HK, Yen, CJ, Chang, CH, Kuo, CK, Chen, JH and Sorond, F (2005) Relation of C-reactive protein to stroke, cognitive disorders, and depression in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Neurology 4, 371380.Google Scholar
Laurin, D, David Curb, J, Masaki, KH, White, LR and Launer, LJ (2009) Midlife C-reactive protein and risk of cognitive decline: a 31-year follow-up. Neurobiology of Aging 30, 17241727.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Macy, EM, Hayes, TE and Tracy, RP (1997) Variability in the measurement of C-reactive protein in healthy subjects: implications for reference intervals and epidemiological applications. Clinical Chemistry 43, 5258.Google Scholar
Mangiafico, RA, Sarnataro, F, Mangiafico, M and Fiore, CE (2006) Impaired cognitive performance in asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease: relation to C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels. Age and Ageing 35, 6065.Google Scholar
Marioni, RE, Stewart, MC, Murray, GD, Deary, IJ, Fowkes, FG, Lowe, GD, Rumley, A and Price, JF (2009) Peripheral levels of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and plasma viscosity predict future cognitive decline in individuals without dementia. Psychosomatic Medicine 71, 901906.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marmot, M, Oldfield, Z, Clemens, S, Blake, M, Phelps, A, Nazroo, J, Steptoe, A, Rogers, N, Banks, J and Oskala, A (2017). English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Waves 0–7, 1998–2015. [Data Collection], 27th edn. UK Data Service, SN: 5050 (http://doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-5050-14).Google Scholar
Noble, JM, Manly, JJ, Schupf, N, Tang, MX, Mayeux, R and Luchsinger, JA (2010) Association of C-reactive protein with cognitive impairment. Archives of Neurology 67, 8792.Google Scholar
Satizabal, CL, Zhu, YC, Mazoyer, B, Dufouil, C and Tzourio, C (2012) Circulating IL-6 and CRP are associated with MRI findings in the elderly: the 3C-Dijon Study. Neurology 78, 720727.Google Scholar
Schram, MT, Euser, SM, de Craen, AJ, Witteman, JC, Frolich, M, Hofman, A, Jolles, J, Breteler, MM and Westendorp, RG (2007) Systemic markers of inflammation and cognitive decline in old age. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 55, 708716.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steptoe, A, Breeze, E, Banks, J and Nazroo, J (2013) Cohort profile: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. International Journal of Epidemiology 42, 16401648.Google Scholar
Tegeler, C, O'Sullivan, JL, Bucholtz, N, Goldeck, D, Pawelec, G, Steinhagen-Thiessen, E and Demuth, I (2016) The inflammatory markers CRP, IL-6, and IL-10 are associated with cognitive function – data from the Berlin Aging Study II. Neurobiology of Aging 38, 112117.Google Scholar
Teunissen, CE, van Boxtel, MP, Bosma, H, Bosmans, E, Delanghe, J, De Bruijn, C, Wauters, A, Maes, M, Jolles, J, Steinbusch, HW and de Vente, J (2003) Inflammation markers in relation to cognition in a healthy aging population. Journal of Neuroimmunology 134, 142150.Google Scholar
Tilvis, RS, Kahonen-Vare, MH, Jolkkonen, J, Valvanne, J, Pitkala, KH and Strandberg, TE (2004) Predictors of cognitive decline and mortality of aged people over a 10-year period. The Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 59, 268274.Google Scholar
Weinstein, G, Lutski, M, Goldbourt, U and Tanne, D (2017) C-reactive protein is related to future cognitive impairment and decline in elderly individuals with cardiovascular disease. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 69, 3137.Google Scholar
Weuve, J, Ridker, PM, Cook, NR, Buring, JE and Grodstein, F (2006) High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cognitive function in older women. Epidemiology 17, 183189.Google Scholar
Yaffe, K, Lindquist, K, Penninx, BW, Simonsick, EM, Pahor, M, Kritchevsky, S, Launer, L, Kuller, L, Rubin, S and Harris, T (2003) Inflammatory markers and cognition in well-functioning African-American and white elders. Neurology 61, 7680.Google Scholar
Yang, J, Fan, C, Pan, L, Xie, M, He, Q, Li, D and Wang, S (2015) C-reactive protein plays a marginal role in cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 30, 156165.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Zheng and Xie supplementary material

Figures S1-S2 and Tables S1-S6

Download Zheng and Xie supplementary material(File)
File 577.5 KB