Affiliations: Departments of Neurology and Geriatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Dr. Akio Kimura, Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan. Tel.: +81 58 230 6253; Fax: +81 58 230 6256; E-mail: kimura1@gifu-u.ac.jp.
Abstract: Background:Chronic neuroinflammation has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Objective:To investigate the association between cytokine and anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) autoantibody levels and the degree of brain atrophy and cognitive impairment in AD patients. Methods:Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10, interleukin 6, and anti-Aβ autoantibody were evaluated in 69 AD patients. Serum levels of CCL2 and anti-Aβ autoantibody were also examined. The degree of brain atrophy was assessed using the voxel-based specific regional analysis system for AD, which targets the volumes of interest (VOI) in medial temporal structures. Cognitive function was evaluated by neuropsychological testing, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Results:CSF CCL2 levels correlated significantly with the severity (p = 0.023) and the extent (p = 0.022) of VOI atrophy, and with the extent of gray matter atrophy (p = 0.039) in AD patients. CSF anti-Aβ autoantibody levels were inversely correlated with the severity of VOI atrophy (p = 0.020), the extent of VOI atrophy (p = 0.015), and the ratio of VOI/GM atrophy (r = –0.358, p = 0.004). CSF CCL2 levels were also inversely correlated with MMSE (p = 0.0497) and FAB scores (p = 0.016). Conclusions:CSF CCL2 levels are associated with the degree of medial temporal lobe and gray matter atrophy, and cognitive decline in AD.
