Plasma IL‐12/IFN‐γ axis predicts cognitive trajectories in cognitively unimpaired older adults
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2022•Wiley Online Library
Introduction Immune dysregulation is implicated in neurodegeneration and altered cytokine
levels are seen in people with dementia. However, whether cytokine levels are predictive of
cognitive decline in cognitively unimpaired (CU) elderly, especially in the setting of elevated
amyloid beta (Aβ), remains unclear. Methods We measured nine cytokines in the baseline
plasma of 298 longitudinally followed CU elderly and assessed whether these measures
were associated with cognitive decline, alone or synergistically with Aβ. We next examined …
levels are seen in people with dementia. However, whether cytokine levels are predictive of
cognitive decline in cognitively unimpaired (CU) elderly, especially in the setting of elevated
amyloid beta (Aβ), remains unclear. Methods We measured nine cytokines in the baseline
plasma of 298 longitudinally followed CU elderly and assessed whether these measures
were associated with cognitive decline, alone or synergistically with Aβ. We next examined …
Introduction
Immune dysregulation is implicated in neurodegeneration and altered cytokine levels are seen in people with dementia. However, whether cytokine levels are predictive of cognitive decline in cognitively unimpaired (CU) elderly, especially in the setting of elevated amyloid beta (Aβ), remains unclear.
Methods
We measured nine cytokines in the baseline plasma of 298 longitudinally followed CU elderly and assessed whether these measures were associated with cognitive decline, alone or synergistically with Aβ. We next examined associations between cytokine levels and neuroimaging biomarkers of Aβ/tau/neurodegeneration.
Results
Higher IL‐12p70 was associated with slower cognitive decline in the setting of higher Aβ (false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.0023), whereas higher IFN‐γ was associated with slower cognitive decline independent of Aβ (FDR = 0.013). Higher IL‐12p70 was associated with less tau and neurodegeneration in participants with higher Aβ.
Discussion
Immune dysregulation is implicated in early‐stage cognitive decline, and greater IL‐12/IFN‐γ axis activation may be protective against cognitive decline and early‐stage AD progression.
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