Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (Nov 2022)

Cystatin C predicts cognitive decline in multiple system atrophy: A 1-year prospective cohort study

  • Lingyu Zhang,
  • Lingyu Zhang,
  • Ruicen Li,
  • Yanbing Hou,
  • Bei Cao,
  • Qianqian Wei,
  • Ruwei Ou,
  • Kuncheng Liu,
  • Junyu Lin,
  • Tianmi Yang,
  • Yi Xiao,
  • Wenxia Huang,
  • Huifang Shang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.1069837
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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BackgroundAccumulating evidence has suggested that cystatin C is associated with cognitive impairment in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. However, the association between cystatin C and cognitive decline in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) remains largely unknown.ObjectivesThe objective was to determine whether cystatin C was independently associated with cognitive decline in patients with early-stage MSA.MethodsPatients with MSA underwent evaluation at baseline and the 1-year follow-up. Cognitive function was evaluated with Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). Changes in the MoCA score and the absolute MoCA score at the 1-year assessment were considered the main cognitive outcome. The cystatin C concentrations in patients with MSA and age, sex, and body mass index matched-healthy controls (HCs) were measured. A multiple linear regression model was used to test the association between cystatin C and cognitive decline.ResultsA total of 117 patients with MSA and 416 HCs were enrolled in the study. The cystatin C levels were significantly higher in patients with MSA than in HCs (p < 0.001). Cystatin C levels were negatively correlated with MoCA score at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Multiple linear regression model adjusted for potential confounders showed that baseline cystatin C levels were significantly associated with the MoCA score (p = 0.004) or change in the MoCA score (p = 0.008) at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionOur results suggested that cystatin C may serve as a potential biomarker of cognitive decline in patients with early-stage MSA.

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