Leptin, hsCRP, TNF-α and IL-6 levels from normal aging to dementia: Relationship with cognitive and functional status.

Cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, compromises the patients' cognitive abilities and, to different extents, to carry out daily activities, accompanied by personality and behavioral changes. Studies suggest that leptin, an adipokine, has a neuroprotective role against Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that cytokines are associated with inflammatory processes and dementia. This study aimed to evaluate serum leptin, hsCRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in a cognitive continuum group from normal to demential status, and to assess whether they correlates to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) scores.

Estrogen receptor-alpha gene XbaI A > G polymorphism influences short-term cognitive decline in healthy oldest-old individuals.

Methods: The individuals were categorized in two groups according to the presence or absence of cognitive decline. Cognitive data were related to genetic information.

Results: The XbaI -351 AA genotype was more common among cognitive decliners, while -351G allele carriers showed cognitive stability or improvement.