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C-reactive protein, but not homocysteine, is related to cognitive dysfunction in older adults with cardiovascular disease
Journal article   Peer reviewed

C-reactive protein, but not homocysteine, is related to cognitive dysfunction in older adults with cardiovascular disease

John Gunstad, Linda Bausserman, Robert H Paul, David F Tate, Karin Hoth, Athena Poppas, Angela L Jefferson and Ronald A Cohen
Journal of clinical neuroscience, Vol.13(5), pp.540-546
2006
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2005.08.010
PMCID: PMC2748307
PMID: 16723232

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Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. Recent studies implicate homocysteine (HCY) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in this increased risk, as both are associated with cognitive dysfunction in demented and non-demented patients. However, it remains unclear whether they confer added risk in older adults with CVD. A total of 126 older CVD patients underwent blood and neuropsychological evaluation as part of a prospective examination of the neurocognitive consequences of CVD. A subset of these participants (\nn\n=\n37) also underwent neuroimaging to quantify the degree of white matter disease. After adjusting for demographic and medical factors, no significant relationship emerged between HCY and cognitive performance. In contrast, CRP showed significant independent relationships to test performance, including global cognitive performance, attention/psychomotor function, executive function, memory, and visuospatial abilities. Neither HCY nor CRP was related to extent of white matter disease or whole brain volume on magnetic resonance imaging. Further study is needed to identify mechanisms by which inflammatory processes impact on cognitive function and to determine whether reducing circulating levels of inflammatory markers results in improved cognition.
 Homocysteine Cognition C-reactive protein

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