Serum levels of inflammation factors and cognitive performance in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: A Chinese clinical study

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is important for initiating timely therapy to block or slow the rate of disease progression. This study was designed to investigate the potential of inflammation-related biomarkers in peripheral blood to accurately reflect AD onset and progression. Individuals (n = 150) with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) were divided into two subgroups (low- and high-risk) based on APOEε4 allele carrier status, and administered a battery of neuropsychological tests and tested for serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ by using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results were compared with those from age-matched healthy controls (n = 150). The levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in the aMCI group than in controls (P < 0.01). When the aMCI group was stratified by APOEε4 status, significant differences were found between the low- and high-risk groups and controls in the levels of IL-6 and IFN-γ (P < 0.01 and P = 0.041, respectively). Moreover, the IL-6 level in the low-risk aMCI group was higher than that in the high-risk aMCI group (P = 0.028). A weak but significant negative correlation was found between IL-6 and cognitive performance. Taken together, these findings indicate that IL-6, while not useful alone, has potential in combination with other biomarkers to support early diagnosis of aMCI due to its association with the progression of cognitive impairment.

► We investigate the potential of inflammation-related biomarkers in peripheral blood.
► Individuals were administered the cognitive tests and inflammatory factor tests.
► The levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in the aMCI group than in controls.
► The levels of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significant different between the low- and high-risk groups and controls.
► IL-6 has potential in supporting early diagnosis of aMCI.