title: Effector memory CD4(+) T cells are associated with cognitive performance in a senior population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immunosenescence and cognitive decline are common markers of the aging process. Taking into consideration the heterogeneity observed in aging processes and the recently described link between lymphocytes and cognition, we herein explored the possibility of an association between alterations in lymphocytic populations and cognitive performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cohort of cognitively healthy adults (n = 114), previously characterized by diverse neurocognitive/psychological performance patterns, detailed peripheral blood immunophenotyping of both the innate and adaptive immune systems was performed by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Better cognitive performance was associated with lower numbers of effector memory CD4(+) T cells and higher numbers of naive CD8(+) T cells and B cells. Furthermore, effector memory CD4(+) T cells were found to be predictors of general and executive function and memory, even when factors known to influence cognitive performance in older individuals (e.g., age, sex, education, and mood) were taken into account.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study in humans associating specific phenotypes of the immune system with distinct cognitive performance in healthy aging.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cláudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serre-Miranda
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roque
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nadine Correia
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Portugal-Nunes
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrício
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Joana Almeida
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Palha
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correia-Neves