Cytokines and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Context of Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly

Abstract

The aim is to assess the levels of certain cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β и IL-10, and BDNF in the blood plasma of the elderly, depending on degree of cognitive impairment. 65 elderly with (vascular dementia) or without cognitive impairment were enrolled in the study. The level of cytokines and BDNF were measured in plasma by ELISA. It was found that, regardless of the degree of cognitive impairment, the condition of systemic chronic low-grade inflammation is characteristic of the elderly. Against this background, plasma levels of BDNF were increased in elderly with vascular dementia, reaching statistical significance compared with healthy individuals. Such changes in the level of BDNF may reflect a compensatory repair mechanism in neurodegeneration or be associated with a defective axonal transport or utilization of BDNF in the central nervous system paralleled by increased serum concentrations.