Is Memory Decline Associated With Inflammatory Response?

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether changes in memory over a 10-year period could predict a change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

METHOD

A mixed model analysis was first conducted to obtain the estimates for change in memory over the 10-year period using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Then a multivariate regression to determine whether a change in episodic memory could predict subsequent CRP levels was conducted. Furthermore, a general linear model was conducted to determine differences in CRP levels among different rates of change in episodic memory.

RESULTS

Greater declines in episodic memory were associated with higher levels of subsequent CRP (Estimate = -0.32, SE = 0.12, β = -.03, p = .008). The general linear model revealed that those with greater memory declines were more likely to have higher levels of CRP, F = 26.50, p < .001.

DISCUSSION

These results highlight the notion that memory decline and inflammation may be intertwined, and we discuss various avenues that warrant further investigation.