title: The inflammatory markers CRP, IL-6, and IL-10 are associated with cognitive function--data from the Berlin Aging Study II.
abstract: Inflammation may be an underlying mechanism in cognitive decline. The present study investigated the relationship between cognitive function and the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 in a nonclinical sample of elderly adults. Serum levels of CRP, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured in n = 1312 elderly adults (60-85 years, 50.5% females) who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted and adjusted for various demographic and clinical factors. Levels of IL-6, IL-10, and CRP were negatively associated with a composite score of executive function and processing speed, whereas the IL-6 to IL-10 ratio was not predictive for executive function and processing speed. No associations were found between inflammatory markers and verbal episodic memory. These findings suggest a relationship between higher proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory activation of the innate immune system and executive function within the normal range. Further research is needed to examine the relevance of an inflammatory pathway as a potential therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Geriatrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: christina.tegeler@charite.de.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tegeler
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Geriatrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Julie Lorraine
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Geriatrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bucholtz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, Centre for Medical Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, Centre for Medical Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pawelec
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Geriatrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Lipid Clinic at the Interdisciplinary Metabolism Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Steinhagen-Thiessen
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Geriatrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: ilja.demuth@charite.de.
authors.forename: Ilja
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demuth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016753:Interleukin-10; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-reactive protein; Cognitive function; Cytokine; Executive function; Inflammation; Memory