Reduced serum IL-6 as a potential peripheral marker of amnestic mild cognitive impairment: A pilot study

Medicina clinica (English ed.) Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-09-25 DOI:10.1016/j.medcle.2026.107540

María Micaela Castro, Romina Alejandra Pavón, Alejandro David Moroni, Mario Melcon, Natalia Erica Menite, Gastón Villafañe, Ana María Genaro, María Laura Palumbo

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Abstract

Introduction and objective

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate state between age-related cognitive changes and early stages of dementia. People with amnestic subtype (aMCI) show higher risks of progression to dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. In this pilot study, the aim was to investigate whether cytokines could be potential peripheral markers associated with MCI.

Methods

Women were recruited in Junín city, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their cognitive performance was evaluated using a neuropsychological battery. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 were analyzed by ELISA, and the type 2/type 1 balance was determined. Correlations between both parameters, as well as within-group analysis cytokines levels were evaluated.

Results

After cognitive evaluation, participants were classified as healthy controls (HC: n = 14) or as aMCI (n = 7). IL-6 levels were significantly decreased in the aMCI group compared with HC (p = 0.047). IFN-γ showed no robust correlations within the HC group but presented a strong negative correlation with IL-2 (p = 0.005) and IL-4 (p = 0.052) in aMCI. Several correlations were found between cytokine levels, the type 2/type 1 balance and neurocognitive tests.

Conclusions

We concluded that IL-6 decreased levels, altered correlation in cytokine profiles, together with performance on the neuropsychological battery, may serve as potential blood-markers of amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

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血清IL-6降低作为健忘轻度认知障碍的潜在外周标志物：一项初步研究

轻度认知障碍（MCI）是介于年龄相关认知变化和早期痴呆之间的一种中间状态。患有健忘亚型（aMCI）的人因阿尔茨海默病而发展为痴呆症的风险更高。在这项初步研究中，目的是研究细胞因子是否可能是与轻度认知损伤相关的潜在外周标志物。方法在阿根廷布宜诺斯艾利斯Junín市招募女性。他们的认知表现用神经心理学电池来评估。ELISA检测血清IFN-γ、IL-1β、IL-2、IL-4、IL-6水平，并测定2型/ 1型平衡。评估这两个参数之间的相关性，以及组内分析细胞因子水平。结果认知评估后，参与者分为健康对照组（HC: n = 14）和aMCI组（n = 7）。与HC相比，aMCI组IL-6水平显著降低（p = 0.047）。IFN-γ在HC组无显著相关性，但在aMCI中与IL-2 （p = 0.005）和IL-4 （p = 0.052）呈显著负相关。在细胞因子水平、2型/ 1型平衡和神经认知测试之间发现了一些相关性。结论IL-6水平降低，细胞因子谱相关性改变，以及神经心理电池的表现，可能是健忘轻度认知障碍的潜在血液标志物。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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Medicina clinica (English ed.)

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