Adiponectin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in MCI and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Background and purpose: Life style-related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity are reported to be a great risk of dementia. Adipocytokines released from adipose tissue are thought to modulate some brain functions including memory and cognition. We here analysed adiponectin, one of the most important adipocytokines, in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from cognitive normal controls (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects, and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and discussed if/how adiponectin could relate to the pathogenesis of AD.

Methods: Normal controls (n = 28), MCI (n = 18), and AD (n = 27) subjects were recruited at Tohoku University Hospital. The diagnosis of AD was based on NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. All the blood and CSF samples were obtained from each fasted subject. Adiponectin was assayed using a sandwich ELISA system.

Results: The levels of adiponectin between in plasma and in CSF showed a positive correlation. Plasma adiponectin was significantly higher in MCI and AD compared to NC, whereas CSF adiponectin was significantly higher in MCI compared to NC.

Conclusion: It is possible that the level of adiponectin in plasma reflects its level in CSF. The tendency to have higher adiponectin in plasma and CSF from MCI and AD suggests that this molecule plays a critical role in the onset of AD.