Correlation Between Promoter Methylation and Transient Ischemic Attack/Mild Ischemic Stroke with Early Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Dyskinesia caused by transient ischemic attack (TIA) and mild ischemic stroke (MIS) is mild and short-lived; however, cognitive impairment (CI) can occur in the acute phase and be easily overlooked. DNA methylation is an epigenetic phenomenon that can affect gene expression through gene silencing. Blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 are elevated in ischemic stroke patients and is associated with the destruction of the blood-brain barrier and the occurrence of CI. No studies have investigated the relationship between gene methylation and TIA/MIS with early cognitive impairment (ECI). As such, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between gene methylation and TIA/MIS with ECI.

METHODS

Data from 112 subjects were collected, including 84 with TIA/MIS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale <5 points) and 28 non-stroke control subjects. Patients were evaluated within 7 days of TIA/MIS onset according to four single-domain cognitive scales. Whole blood DNA methylation was detected using MethylTarget sequencing technology. Comparison of gene methylation levels among subgroups was performed using statistical methods.

RESULTS

The site S33-79 in the TIA/MIS group was hypomethylated compared with the control group, and sites S33-25 and S33-30 in TIA/MIS with ECI was hypomethylated compared with TIA/MIS without ECI. Compared with the small artery occlusion group, gene, S33-25, 30, 39, 53, 58, 73, 79, 113 and 131 sites in the large artery atherosclerosis group were hypomethylated.

CONCLUSION

gene hypomethylation sites were associated with TIA/MIS and TIA/MIS with ECI, and there was a strong correlation between gene hypomethylation and atherosclerotic TIA/MIS. gene methylation can reflect the severity of TIA/MIS. gene hypomethylation sites may be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for TIA/MIS and TIA/MIS with ECI.