Systemic Inflammation Is Associated With Longitudinal Changes in Cognitive Performance Among Urban Adults

Objectives/Background: Systemic inflammation can affect cognitive performance over time. The current study examined associations between systemic inflammation and cognitive performance among African Americans and Whites urban adults, stratifying by sex, and age group and by race. Patients/Methods: Among 1,555–1,719 White and African-American urban adults [Age(base): 30–64y, 2004-2013, mean±SD follow-up time(y): 4.64 ± 0.93y], conducted linear mixed-effects regression models were conducted to test associations of inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), albumin, iron, and an inflammation composite score (ICS)] with longitudinal cognitive performance. Results: Among key findings, CRP was linked to poorer baseline mental status among younger women (≤50y, γ(01) = –0.03 ± 0.01, p = 0.002) and poorer attention in older women (>50y, γ(01) = −0.024 ± 0.007, p < 0.004) and African-Americans (γ(01) = −0.029 ± 0.008, p < 0.001). ESR was related to faster decline on verbal memory among older men (>50y, γ(11) = −0.008 ± 0.003, P = 0.009); with poorer performance on attention tests overall (γ(01) = −0.010 ± 0.003, P = 0.003) and among African-Americans (γ(01) = −0.013 ± 0.004, P = 0.002); on verbal fluency among older women (>50y,γ(01) = −0.037 ± 0.013, P = 0.004) and on executive function: overall (γ(01) = +0.62 ± 0.21, P = 0.004), older men (>50y, γ(01) = +1.69 ± 0.53, P = 0.001) and African-Americans (γ(01) = +0.84 ± 0.28, P = 0.002). Albumin was linked to slower attention decline among older men (>50y, γ(11) = +0.329 ± 0.103, P = 0.009), over-time improvement in executive function overall (γ(11) = −6.00 ± 2.26, P = 0.008), and better baseline psychomotor speed among African-Americans (γ(01) = +0.56 ± 0.19, P = 0.003). Finally, ICS predicted faster decline on visual memory/visuo-constructive abilities among older men (>50y, γ(11) = +0.17 ± 0.06, p = 0.003). Conclusion: In sum, strong associations between systemic inflammation and longitudinal cognitive performance were detected, largely among older individuals (>50y) and African-Americans. Randomized trials targeting inflammation are warranted.