ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for cognitive decline. Thus, biomarkers that can provide early and simple detection of cognitive decline are required. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a cytoskeletal protein that constitutes neural axons. Plasma NfL levels are elevated when neurodegeneration occurs. Here, we investigated whether plasma NfL levels were associated with cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHOD: This study included 183 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited Osaka University Hospital. All participants were tested for cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT). NfL levels were analysed in the plasma and the relationship between NfL and cognitive function was examined. RESULTS: Lower RBMT-standardized profile scores (SPS) or MMSE scores correlated with higher plasma NfL levels (one-way analysis of variance: MMSE, P = 0.0237; RBMT-SPS, P = 0.0001). Furthermore, plasma NfL levels (ß = -0.34, P = 0.0005) and age (ß = -0.19, P = 0.016) were significantly associated with the RBMT score after multivariable regression adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma NfL levels were correlated with mild cognitive decline which is detected by the RBMT but not the MMSE in patients with type 2 diabetes. This suggests that plasma NfL levels may provide a valuable clinical tool for identifying mild cognitive decline in patients with diabetes.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Cognitive Dysfunction , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Biomarkers , Cognition , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Humans , Mental Status and Dementia TestsABSTRACT
Background: Under the COVID-19 outbreak, the Japanese government has strongly encouraged individuals to stay at home. The aim of the current study was to clarify the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the lifestyle of older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who live alone. Methods: Seventy-four patients with dementia or MCI aged ≥65 years, who regularly visited the dementia clinic of the Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Hospital, were recruited in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their living situation: living alone group (n = 12) and living together group (n = 62). Additionally, the spouses of patients aged ≥65 years were assigned to the healthy control group (n = 37). Subjects' lifestyle changes were evaluated between April 8 and 28, 2020. Results: No subjects with acquaintances or relatives were infected with COVID-19 within the study period. The proportion of subjects who reduced going out in the living alone group, living together group and healthy control group was 18.2, 52.5, and 78.4%, respectively. The proportion of subjects who went out less frequently was significantly lower in both the living alone (p < 0.01) and living together (p < 0.05) groups than in the healthy control group. Conclusion: Most patients with dementia or MCI who live alone did not limit their outings or activities during the COVID-19 outbreak. Regular monitoring for potential COVID-19 infection in people living alone with dementia is vital for their safety and well-being.
