Inflammation as a mediator of the relationship between cortical thickness and metabolic syndrome

Authors

Sonya S. Kaur, The University of Texas at Austin
Mitzi M. Gonzales, The University of Texas at Austin
Danielle E. Eagan, The University of Texas at Austin
Katyoon Goudarzi, The University of Texas at Austin
Hirofumi Tanaka, The University of Texas at Austin
Andreana P. Haley, The University of Texas at Austin

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), the clustering of obesity, high blood pressure, and disordered glucose and lipid/lipoprotein metabolism within a single individual, is associated with poorer cognitive function. It has been hypothesized that cognitive impairment in MetS occurs primarily within the context of inflammation. MetS risk factors are also associated with thinning of the cerebral cortex. However, the mechanisms by which MetS and inflammation affect the brain are poorly understood. The present study used statistical mediation to examine the relationship between MetS risk factors, cortical thickness in a priori regions of interest (ROIs) and inflammation. ROIs were chosen from the previous literature. Forty-three adults between the ages of 40 and 60 years underwent a health screen, neuropsychological testing and structural magnetic resonance imaging. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory markers (interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interleukin 6 and C-Reactive Protein) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A higher number of MetS risk factors were associated with thinning in the inferior frontal ROI (β = −0.35, p = 0.019) as well as higher levels of serum interleukin 2 (β = 0.31, p = 0.04). A higher level of serum interleukin 2 was also associated with reduced thickness in the inferior frontal gyrus (β = −0.41, p = 0.013). After accounting for the effects of interleukin 2, the number of MetS risk factors was no longer associated with cortical thickness in the inferior frontal gyrus indicating successful statistical mediation. The results indicate a potentially important role for inflammation in linking MetS to cortical thinning and cognitive vulnerability.

Publication Date

12-1-2015

Publication Title

Brain Imaging and Behavior

ISSN

19317557

E-ISSN

19317565

Volume

9

Issue

4

First Page

737

Last Page

743

PubMed ID

25376331

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s11682-014-9330-z

Recommended Citation

Kaur, Sonya S.; Gonzales, Mitzi M.; Eagan, Danielle E.; Goudarzi, Katyoon; Tanaka, Hirofumi; and Haley, Andreana P., "Inflammation as a mediator of the relationship between cortical thickness and metabolic syndrome" (2015). Clinical Neuropsychology. 162.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neuropsychology/162