C-Reactive Protein is Linked to Lower Cognitive Performance in Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract

Our objective was to ascertain the nature of the associations between C-reactive protein (CRP) and cognition, and to examine how they are affected by gender and obesity. We evaluated 62 females and 63 males between 42 and 82 years of age. There were 20 lean females with a body mass index (BMI) of <25 kg/m2 and 42 overweight or obese females, with BMIs > or =25 kg/m2. There were 14 lean males and 49 with BMIs >/=25 kg/m2. CRP was associated with lower scores on cognitive tests of frontal lobe function among females and these associations were driven by the overweight/obese female group. In these data no associations between CRP and cognition were found among males. Obesity-associated inflammation is much more prominent in females and it appears to be associated with cognitive dysfunction, particularly of frontal lobe tasks.

The body mass index (BMI) is significantly correlated with levels of cytokines and chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid

“…The inflammatory activity has been shown to be associated with cognitive performance in obese women [10]. The role of neuroinflammation and cytokines in mood disorders and cognitive impairment have also been demonstrated by both animal studies [11][12][13]) and clinical data [14,15].…”

Examining the relationship between obesity and cognitive function: A systematic literature review

“…While inflammatory proteins (e.g. c-reactive protein), found more commonly in obese individuals, have also been associated with lower cognitive scores among obese females [56]. Inflammatory markers have also been linked with reduced total brain volume [57] providing further evidence that neuronal degradation might be implicated in the obesity-cognition relationship.…”

Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation in Metabolic Disorders: Relevance for Behavioral Symptoms

“…For instance, elevated concentrations of CRP were found to relate to lower performance in tests of executive function in overweight/obese women [49]. Consistent with these data, results from a 5-year prospective study in patients with the metabolic syndrome indicate that patients with the highest level of inflammation, as reflected by CRP and IL-6 levels above the median of the population, were those who exhibited the greatest risk of age-related cognitive decline (reduction of at least five points on the Modified MMSE) in comparison to patients with lower level of inflammation [50].…”