The Role of Inflammatory Biomarkers as a Diagnostic Tool for Possible Late-Life Cognitive Decline and Dementias.

The objective of this paper was to explore whether inflammatory biomarkers, especially C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), can be used as a diagnostic tool for possible late-life cognitive decline and dementias. Twelve studies were identified since 2010 involving 13,174 subjects, and one study recruited only healthy population. Inflammatory biomarkers CRP and hsCRP were obtained from blood plasma. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a basic test in 11 studies. Results were conflicted, five studies revealed no significant differences between higher CRP levels and cognitive decline, four studies demonstrated significant association even in healthy population, and three studies showed significant correlation of lower CRP levels to cognitive deficits. Inflammatory reaction is possibly associated with the pathogenesis of some cognitive impairment and dementias; however, as the results were conflicted, further research should be made, including the normal aging factor, both in healthy and in demented or cognitive declined population.