Association between liver biomarkers and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to systematically examine the literature and conduct a meta-analysis to assess if liver biomarkers like alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) could be predictors of cognitive impairment and dementia.

METHODS

Online databases of Scopus, Embase, PubMed, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched for all observational studies examining the research question. The last date of the search was August 20, 2024.

RESULTS

We selected 13 studies. Pooled analysis showed that there was no significant association between ALT levels or AST levels and risk of cognitive impairment. Meta-analysis showed the higher AST: ALT ratio and higher GGT levels were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of cognitive impairment. Lower ALT levels were associated with a significant increase in the risk of dementia but no significant association was noted with AST or GGT levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary evidence indicates that liver biomarkers may have a role in predicting the risk of cognitive impairment/dementia. A high AST: ALT ratio may be linked with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Likewise, high GGT and low ALT levels seem to be associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia respectively. CRD42024579967.