Depression, inflammation, and memory loss among Mexican Americans: analysis of the HABLE cohort

Abstract

Background:This study explored the combined impact of depression and inflammation on memory functioning among Mexican-American adults and elders.Methods:Data were analyzed from 381 participants of the Health and Aging Brain study among Latino Elders (HABLE). Fasting serum samples were collected and assayed in duplicate using electrochemiluminesce on the SECTOR Imager 2400A from Meso Scale Discovery. Positive DepE (depression endophenotype) was codified as any score >1 on a five-point scale based on the GDS-30. Inflammation was determined by TNFα levels and categorized by tertiles (1st, 2nd, 3rd). WMS-III LMI and LMII as well as CERAD were utilized as measures of memory. ANOVAs examined group differences between positive DepE and inflammation tertiles with neuropsychological scale scores as outcome variables. Logistic regressions were used to examine level of inflammation and DepE positive status on the risk for MCI.Results:Positive DepE as well as higher inflammation were both independently found to be associated with lower memory scores. Among DepE positive, those who were high in inflammation (3rd tertile) were found to perform significantly worse on WMS-III LM I (F = 4.75, p = 0.003), WMS-III LM II (F = 8.18, p < 0.001), and CERAD List Learning (F = 17.37, p < 0.001) when compared to those low on inflammation (1st tertile). The combination of DepE positive and highest tertile of inflammation was associated with increased risk for MCI diagnosis (OR = 6.06; 95% CI = 3.9–11.2, p < 0.001).Conclusion:Presence of elevated inflammation and positive DepE scores increased risk for worse memory among Mexican-American older adults. Additionally, the combination of DepE and high inflammation was associated with increased risk for MCI diagnosis. This work suggests that depression and inflammation are independently associated with worse memory among Mexican-American adults and elders; however, the combination of both increases risk for poorer memory beyond either alone.

Insulin Resistance as a Shared Pathogenic Mechanism Between Depression and Type 2 Diabetes

“…T2D patients have elevated circulating levels of pro-inflammatory markers, in particular of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) (61). Clinical studies indicate that blood concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) correlates with depression and impaired performance on memory tests (62, 63). In a Bavarian cohort with history of depression elevated blood levels of TNFα, two isoforms of the soluble TNFα receptor and diabetes were commonly observed (64).…”

Vascular risk profile and white matter hyperintensity volume among Mexican Americans and non‐Hispanic Whites: The HABLE study

“…The HABLE study uses a combination of community‐based participatory research methods and targeted marketing based on zip codes for recruitment, as discussed in prior publications. 10 , 11 We performed baseline evaluations for 1318 participants (60% female, 49% Hispanic, and 51% non‐Hispanic White; average age 66.2 ± 8.9 years) with written informed consent. Participants underwent a clinical evaluation and 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a Siemens Skyra (Siemens Healthineers AG; Erlangen, Germany).…”

Factor structure and measurement invariance of a neuropsychological test battery designed for assessment of cognitive functioning in older Mexican Americans

“…Participants were 741 volunteers, aged 50 years and older, in the Health and Aging Brain among Latino Elders (HABLE) study who provided informed consent to participate in this research. More specific details about the HABLE study have been published previously [17–20]. Briefly, the HABLE study is a community‐based epidemiological study that focuses on understanding cognitive changes in a predominantly Mexican American sample recruited from Tarrant county, Texas.…”