Association of serum cystatin C with white matter abnormalities in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Association of Serum Cystatin C With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in Community-Based Population

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum cystatin C levels and the presence and severity of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).

METHODS:

Community-dwelling residents in the Lishui city in China from the cross-sectional survey of the PRECISE (Poly-Vascular Evaluation for Cognitive Impairment and Vascular Events) cohort study were included in present study from 2017 to 2019. Total CSVD burden and modified total CSVD burden score, as well as the markers of CSVD on magnetic resonance imaging, including white matter hyperintensity, lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, and perivascular spaces, were assessed at baseline survey. Participants were divided into 4 groups according to the quartiles of cystatin C. The association of serum cystatin C with total CSVD burden and imaging markers was analyzed using ordinal or binary logistic regression models. Furthermore, 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed to investigate the genetically predicted effect of cystatin C on CSVD.

RESULTS:

A total of 3061 participants were included in this study. The mean age of the participants was 61.2±6.7 years, and 1637 (53.5%) were women. Higher level of cystatin C was associated with an increased total CSVD burden and modified total CSVD burden (Q4 versus Q1: common odds ratio [OR], 1.30 [95% CI, 1.03–1.64] and 1.32 [95% CI, 1.01–1.73]) after adjustment for covariates. Further, compared with the first quartile of cystatin C, subjects in the last quartile had higher risk of lacunes (OR, 1.99 [95% CI, 1.05–3.76]), modified white matter hyperintensity burden (common OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.07–1.90]), and moderate-to-severe perivascular spaces (OR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.29–3.59]) but not cerebral microbleeds. The Mendelian randomization analysis showed that a genetically predicted higher cystatin C level was associated with increased risk of lacunar stroke (OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.06–1.27]).

CONCLUSIONS:

In this community-based study, we found a possible association between cystatin C and CSVD, especially for lacunes, that was independent of estimated glomerular filtration rate.

The relationship between diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction and leukoaraiosis

Cognitive dysfunction is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, which often associates with ageing brain as well as neurodegenerative diseases. A growing body of evidence suggests that patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a significantly higher risk of cognitive impairment. In recent years, studies have found that patients with diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction have an increased burden of leukoaraiosis (LA), and larger white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume. With the recent advancement of technologies, multimodal imaging is widely exploited for the precise evaluation of central nervous system diseases. Emerging studies suggest that LA pathology can be used as a predictive signal of white matter lesions in patients with diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction, providing support for early identification and diagnosis of disease. This article reviews the findings, epidemiological characteristics, pathogenesis, imaging features, prevention and treatment of LA pathophysiology in patients with diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction.

Cystatin C and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Cystatin C (Cys C) has been found as a novel biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Published studies on the role of Cys C as a biomarker of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have not been reviewed systematically.

OBJECTIVE

Present meta-analysis was performed to elucidate the association between Cys C and risk of MCI.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Trip databases, Worldwide Science, and Google Scholar from January 1, 1950, to April 30, 2020. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using fixed or random effect models were used to calculate summary estimates. Quality of evidence was also assessed using the Diagnostic Accuracy Quality Scale (DAQS) and grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations approach.

RESULTS

In our meta-analysis, 12 studies with a total of 2,433 MCI patients and 1,034 controls were included. Our findings suggest a strong association between increased levels of Cys C and risk of MCI as compared to control subjects (SMD = 2.39, 95% CI = 0.22-4.57). Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, a significant association for the high level of Cys C with the risk of MCI was observed in the Asian population (SMD = 1.63, 95% CI = 0.44-2.82) but not in the Caucasian population (SMD = 2.80, 95% CI = [-0.66]-6.26).

CONCLUSION

Cys C was associated with MCI, and it could be considered as a predictor for the risk of cognitive impairment.

Association of regional white matter hyperintensity volumes with cognitive dysfunction and vascular risk factors in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

AIM

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been reported to promote neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, little is known about the association between regional WMH (rWMH) and cognitive dysfunction in MCI. We hence investigated the associations between rWMH volumes and cognitive dysfunction in MCI.

METHODS

Thirty-eight subjects with amnestic MCI were analysed. The volumes of periventricular hyperintensities (PVH) and deep WMH (DWMH) were measured on a T2-FLAIR MRI using a 3D-slicer, and regional PVH and DWMH (rPVH and rDWMH) volumes were calculated. The associations of rPVH and rDWMH volumes with cognition and blood levels of various molecules were investigated. Furthermore, rPVH and rDWMH volumes were compared between MCI with vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia, and those without these risk factors.

RESULTS

rPVH volume (bilateral cornu frontale, pars parietalis, and cornu occipitale) positively correlated with Trail Making Test-A/B scores and CysC level, whereas rDWMH volume did not correlate with any of the items. rPVH volumes (right cornu frontale, bilateral pars parietalis and cornu occipitale, and right pars temporalis) and rDWMH volumes (left frontal and parietal lobes) were significantly larger in MCI patients with DM than in those without.

CONCLUSIONS

PVH volumes (bilateral areas of cornu frontale, pars parietalis, and cornu occipitale) were closely associated with attention and executive dysfunction. Serum CysC level and DM were associated with WMH volume, suggesting that CysC level and DM might be important markers for determining treatment strategies for white matter abnormalities in MCI. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 644-650.

Association of White Matter Hyperintensity Progression with Cognitive Decline in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background:

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI have been reported to increase the risk of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, effects of the progression of WMH on the cognition of patients with MCI remains unclear to date.

Objective:

To investigate the association between WMH progression and cognitive decline in amnestic MCI patients.

Methods:

Thirty-eight subjects with amnestic MCI were analyzed prospectively every year for 2 years. Fourteen MCI subjects dropped out on the final visit, and therefore 24 subjects with MCI were analyzed for the entire duration. The volumes of periventricular hyperintensities (PVH) and deep WMH (DWMH) were measured on T2 FLAIR using the 3D-slicer. The associations between PVH/DWMH progression and cognitive decline were investigated.

Results:

An increase in DWMH volume significantly correlated with changes in Mini-Mental State Examination and category verbal fluency scores, whereas an increase in PVH volume did not correlate with changes in any item.

Conclusion:

DWMH progression was closely associated with a decline in frontal lobe function and semantic memory, suggesting that WMH progression might affect some AD pathophysiologies in amnestic MCI patients.

Associated factors of white matter hyperintensity volume: a machine-learning approach

To identify the most important parameters associated with cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH), in consideration of potential collinearity, we used a data-driven machine-learning approach. We analysed two independent cohorts (KORA and SHIP). WMH volumes were derived from cMRI-images (FLAIR). 90 (KORA) and 34 (SHIP) potential determinants of WMH including measures of diabetes, blood-pressure, medication-intake, sociodemographics, life-style factors, somatic/depressive-symptoms and sleep were collected. Elastic net regression was used to identify relevant predictor covariates associated with WMH volume. The ten most frequently selected variables in KORA were subsequently examined for robustness in SHIP. The final KORA sample consisted of 370 participants (58% male; age 55.7 ± 9.1 years), the SHIP sample comprised 854 participants (38% male; age 53.9 ± 9.3 years). The most often selected and highly replicable parameters associated with WMH volume were in descending order age, hypertension, components of the social environment (i.e. widowed, living alone) and prediabetes. A systematic machine-learning based analysis of two independent, population-based cohorts showed, that besides age and hypertension, prediabetes and components of the social environment might play important roles in the development of WMH. Our results enable personal risk assessment for the development of WMH and inform prevention strategies tailored to the individual patient.

Serum cystatin C is closely associated with euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis in adult female Chinese patients

Objective

The aim of our study was to explore the association between serum cystatin C (CysC) and euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Methods

There were 119 female euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients and 225 healthy controls who were recruited. Serum CysC, thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies, fasting glucose, liver enzymes, and lipid profile were determined. Clinical parameters were compared between two groups.

Results

Serum CysC levels were significantly higher in euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients compared with controls. In the lowest, middle, and highest tertile groups of CysC, the percentage of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was 15.9%, 34.2%, and 53.5%, respectively. The percentage of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was significantly higher in the highest tertile than in the lowest and middle tertiles. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that serum CysC levels were negatively correlated with free triiodothyronine (FT₃), and positively correlated with serum thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum CysC was independently related to the status of euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Conclusions

The present study shows the first evidence suggesting that serum CysC levels are positively correlated with TPOAb and TGAb. Serum CysC might underlie the pathophysiologic features of euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Association of serum cystatin C with white matter abnormalities in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Aim

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI have been reported to be a risk factor for the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease, although the reason remains unclear. In the present study, we hence investigated the associations between WMH volumes and cognitive function, blood levels of various molecules, and the presence of lifestyle‐associated diseases in patients with amnestic MCI.

Methods

The initial data of 38 patients with amnestic MCI and 10 normal control individuals were analyzed. The volumes of periventricular hyperintensities (PVH) and deep WMH (DWMH) were measured on T2 fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery using the imaging software, 3D Slicer; and the association between PVH/DWMH volumes and cognitive function, blood levels of molecules (such as cystatin C [CysC], 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and homocysteine) and the presence of lifestyle‐associated diseases (such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus) were analyzed.

Results

In the MCI group, the PVH volume : intracranial volume ratio significantly correlated with Trail Making Test‐A/B scores and CysC level by Pearson's analysis, and the PVH volume : intracranial volume ratio significantly correlated with only CysC levels, whereas the DWMH volume : intracranial volume ratio did not correlate with any items at all by linear multiple regression analysis.

Conclusions

PVH volume was closely associated with frontal lobe dysfunction, particularly with attention and executive dysfunction. Serum CysC level was associated with PVH volume, which suggests that CysC might be a useful marker for determining treatment strategies for white matter abnormalities in amnestic MCI. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1036–1040.