Author(s): Fabrègue F, Butkowski E, Voigt A, Mouquot G, de Jong B, Stachowiak FJ and Jelinek HF
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia have been shown to be associated with various inflammatory markers. However the association between mild cognitive decline (MCI) and inflammation is not conclusive. Determining MCI requires a battery of tests of which the Stroop battery is one that is often used to assess cognitive function. The current study investigated the level of inflammation and the correlation to the RIT and NIT assessment of MCI in a rural cohort attending a health screening clinic.
Ninety-six participants free of diagnosed MCI undertook the Stroop testing battery and were divided into a short reaction time (SRT) and a long reaction time (loRT) group based on the RIT and NIT results. Serum Interleukin (IL-10, IL-6, IL1-β), Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and the Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits.
CRP was significantly higher in the hiRT group based on RIT (p=0.022). IL-1 β was associated with NIT (p=0.039). MCP-1 was significant only for NIT (p<0.01). The IL-10 (p<0.01) was significantly lower (p=0.0096) and the IL-6/IL-10 ratio significantly higher in the hiRT group regardless whether RIT or NIT was used (p<0.03).
The study extends previous work indicating an association between cognitive function measured by the Stroop battery and inflammation. IL-10 and the IL-6/IL-10 ratio are the most appropriate markers to use to assess the level of inflammation associated with reaction time and hence cognitive function.
