Metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment in older persons: A population-based study

Rosebud O. Roberts, Yonas E. Geda, David S. Knopman, Ruth H. Cha, Bradley F. Boeve, Robert J. Ivnik, Vernon Shane Pankratz, Eric G. Tangalos, Ronald C. Petersen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is more strongly associated with cognitive impairment in the presence of inflammation. This suggests that the association of MetS with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may vary with the etiology and the subtype of MCI. This study investigated the association between MetS with or without inflammation and MCI [amnestic (a-MCI) and nonamnestic (na-MCI)]. We studied a randomly selected sample of 1969 participants (ages 70 to 89y) from Olmsted County, MN, using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, a neurologic evaluation, and neuropsychologic testing. Data for participants were reviewed for a diagnosis of normal cognition, MCI, or dementia. Clinical components of MetS were ascertained by interview and confirmed from the medical records; biochemical measurements were assayed from a blood draw. We compared 88 na-MCI cases and 241 a-MCI cases with 1640 cognitively normal participants. MetS was not associated with either na-MCI or a-MCI. High C-reactive protein (CRP; highest tertile vs lowest tertile) was associated with na-MCI [odds ratio (OR)=1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05, 3.24] but not with a-MCI, after adjusting for sex, age, and years of education. The combination of MetS and high CRP (compared to no MetS and lowest CRP tertile) was associated with na-MCI (OR=2.31; 95% CI=1.07, 5.00), but not with a-MCI (OR=0.96; 95% CI=0.59, 1.54). The combined presence of MetS and high levels of inflammation is associated with na-MCI in this elderly cohort, and suggests etiologic differences in MCI subtypes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-18
Number of pages8
JournalAlzheimer disease and associated disorders
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • C-reactive protein
  • Cross-sectional study
  • Inflammation
  • Insulin resistance
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Mild cognitive impairment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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