Elevated C-reactive protein is related to cognitive decline in older adults with cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively relate C-reactive protein (CRP), a systemic marker of inflammation, to cognitive change over a 1-year follow-up period.


METHODS
Prospective 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
Outpatient university medical setting.


METHODS
Seventy-eight adults (aged 56-84; 39% female) with cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
CRP levels were measured using a high-sensitivity assay, and participants completed a neuropsychological battery at study entry. Neuropsychological assessment was repeated 1 year later.


RESULTS
The association between CRP and change in cognition over the 1-year follow-up was examined using hierarchical linear regression modeling for five cognitive domains (global cognition, language, memory, visuospatial abilities, and attention-executive-psychomotor). High CRP levels were associated with subtle declines in attention-executive-psychomotor performance (CRP beta=-0.22, P=.04) after adjusting for the effects of age and cognitive performance at study entry. CRP was not significantly associated with change in language, memory, or visuospatial performance.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide preliminary evidence that inflammation, potentially contributing to atherosclerotic processes, may underlie the association between high CRP and changes in attention-executive-psychomotor performance.
Hoth
Karin F
KF
Department of Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. hothk@njc.org
Haley
Andreana P
AP
Gunstad
John
J
Paul
Robert H
RH
Poppas
Athena
A
Jefferson
Angela L
AL
Tate
David F
DF
Ono
Makoto
M
Jerskey
Beth A
BA
Cohen
Ronald A
RA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D002097:C-Reactive Protein
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