Elevated C-reactive protein is related to cognitive decline in older adults with cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively relate C-reactive protein (CRP), a systemic marker of inflammation, to cognitive change Over a 1-year follow-up period. DESIGN: Prospective I-year follow-up. SETTING: Outpatient university medical setting. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-eight adults (aged 56-84; 39% female) with cardiovascular disease. MEASUREMENTS: CRP levels were measured using a high-sensitivity assay, and participants completed neuropsychological battery at Study entry. Neuropsychological assessment was repeated I year later. RESULTS: The association between CRP and change in cognition over the 1-year follow-up was examined using hierarchical linear regression modeling for five cognitive domains (global cognition, language, memory, visuospatial abilities, and attention-executive-psychomotor. High CRP levels were associated with subtle declines In attention-executive-psychomotor performance (CRP beta = - 0.22, P = .04) after adjusting for the effects of age and cognitive performance at study entry. CRP was not significantly associated with change in language, memory, or visuospatial performance. CONCLUSION: These data provide preliminary evidence that Inflammation, potentially contributing to atherosclerotic processes, may underlie the association between high CRP and changes in attention-executive-psychomotor performance.