Differences of peripheral inflammatory markers between mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

• Published in: Immunology letters Vol. 117; no. 2; pp. 198 - 202
• Main Authors: Bermejo, Paloma, Martín-Aragón, Sagrario, Benedí, Juana, Susín, Cristina, Felici, Emanuela, Gil, Pedro, Ribera, José Manuel, Villar, Ángel Mª
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.05.2008
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Allergy and Immunology; Alzheimer Disease - blood; Alzheimer Disease - immunology; Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer's disease; Biomarkers - blood; COX-2; Cyclooxygenase 2 - blood; Disease Progression; Humans; IFN-α; IL-6; Interferon-alpha - blood; Interleukin-6 - blood; Mild cognitive impairment; Neurogenic Inflammation - blood; Neurogenic Inflammation - immunology; Neurogenic Inflammation - psychology; Neuropsychological Tests; Peripheral inflammatory markers; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; TNF-α; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood; Peripheral inflammatory markers; IFN-α; TNF-α; COX-2; Mild cognitive impairment; Alzheimer's disease; IL-6
• ISSN: 0165-2478; 1879-0542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2008.02.002

Abstract Multiple pathogenic factors may contribute to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Peripheral markers have been used to assess biochemical alterations associated with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) involved in its pathophysiology. The present study was conducted to evaluate inflammatory peripheral markers in elderly patients with MCI, patients with AD and normal elderly subjects. We measured plasma levels of different cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-α) and platelet levels of cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) from 34 patients with MCI, 45 patients with AD and 28 age-matched control subjects. MCI and AD patients showed similarities in TNF-α and COX-2 levels, and differences in IL-6 and INF-α. Whereas augmented IL-6 levels have been found in AD patients, a significant increase in INF-α has been detected only in patients with MCI possibly associated with the depression stage frequently found in cognitive impairment. In conclusion, inflammatory response may be an early factor in AD development and these changes in circulating markers are possibly related to the progression of MCI to AD.