Title:Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in the Conversion of Mild Cognitive Impairment
to Dementia: A Prospective Study
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Author(s): Raúl Romero-Sevilla, Fidel López-Espuela, José Manuel Fuentes, Beatriz Duque de San Juan, Juan Carlos Portilla-Cuenca, Carmen Cámara Hijon and Ignacio Casado-Naranjo
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, cytokines, dementia, inflammation, mild cognitive impairment, subclinical inflammation.
Abstract: Background: The effect that cytokines can exert on the progression from mild cognitive
impairment (MCI) to ongoing dementia is a matter of debate and the results obtained so far are controversial.
Objective: The aim of the study is to analyze the influence of markers of subclinical inflammation
on the progression of MCI to dementia.
Methods: A prospective study involving a cohort of patients ≥ 65 years of age diagnosed with MCI
and followed for 3 years was conducted. 105 patients were enrolled, and serum concentrations of
several subclinical inflammatory markers were determined.
Results: After 3.09 (2 - 3.79) years of follow-up, 47 (44.76%) patients progressed to dementia. Alpha
1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) was found to be significantly higher in patients who progressed to
dementia (486.45 ± 169.18 vs. 400.91 ± 163.03; p = 0.012), and observed to significantly increase
the risk of developing dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment (1.004, 1.001-1.007; p
= 0.007). IL-10 levels were significantly higher in those who remained stable (6.69 ± 18.1 vs.
32.54 ± 89.6; p = 0.04). Regarding the type of dementia to which our patients progressed, we
found that patients who developed mixed dementia had higher IL-4 levels than those who converted
to AD (31.54 ± 63.6 vs. 4.43 ± 12.9; p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed between
the groups with regard to the ESR and LPa, CRP, IL-1 and TNF-α levels.
Conclusion: ACT levels have a significant predictive value in the conversion of MCI to dementia.
IL-10 levels could be a protective factor. It is necessary to conduct studies with serial determinations
of these and other inflammatory markers in order to determine their effect on the progression
of MCI to dementia.
