Impact of hs-CRP concentration on brain structure alterations and cognitive trajectory in Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Present study was to investigate hs-CRP concentration, brain structural alterations, and cognitive function in the context of AD [Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD].

Methods: We retrospectively included 313 patients (Mean age = 76.40 years, 59 SCD, 101 MCI, 153 AD) in a cross-sectional analysis and 91 patients (Mean age = 75.83 years, 12 SCD, 43 MCI, 36 AD) in a longitudinal analysis. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to investigate the relationship between hs-CRP concentration and brain structural alterations, and cognitive function, respectively.

Results: Hs-CRP was positively associated with gray matter volume in the left fusiform (β = 0.16, = 0.023) and the left parahippocampal gyrus (β = 0.16, = 0.029). analysis revealed that these associations were mainly driven by patients with MCI and AD. The interaction of diagnosis and CRP was significantly associated with annual cognitive changes (β = 0.43, = 0.008). Among these patients with AD, lower baseline CRP was correlated with greater future cognitive decline ( = -0.41, = 0.013).

Conclusion: Our study suggests that increased hs-CRP level may exert protective effect on brain structure alterations and future cognitive changes among patients already with cognitive impairment.