Elevated C-reactive protein is related to cognitive decline in older adults with cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively relate C-reactive protein (CRP), a systemic marker of inflammation, to cognitive change over a 1-year follow-up period.

DESIGN

Prospective 1-year follow-up.

SETTING

Outpatient university medical setting.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-eight adults (aged 56-84; 39% female) with cardiovascular disease.

MEASUREMENTS

CRP levels were measured using a high-sensitivity assay, and participants completed a neuropsychological battery at study entry. Neuropsychological assessment was repeated 1 year later.

RESULTS

The association between CRP and change in cognition over the 1-year follow-up was examined using hierarchical linear regression modeling for five cognitive domains (global cognition, language, memory, visuospatial abilities, and attention-executive-psychomotor). High CRP levels were associated with subtle declines in attention-executive-psychomotor performance (CRP beta=-0.22, P=.04) after adjusting for the effects of age and cognitive performance at study entry. CRP was not significantly associated with change in language, memory, or visuospatial performance.

CONCLUSION

These data provide preliminary evidence that inflammation, potentially contributing to atherosclerotic processes, may underlie the association between high CRP and changes in attention-executive-psychomotor performance.