Correlation between serum YKL-40 and VILIP 1 levels and brain volume in dementia patients

Aim

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive cognitive disorder characterized by prominent episodic memory impairment. The contribution of neuronal damage and neuroinflammation to this process has been investigated by measuring various substances. Two of the most promising substances in serum and plasma studies are visinin-like protein 1 (VILIP-1) and tyrosine (Y), lysine (K), leucine (L)-40 (YKL-40). These markers may lead to early diagnosis and new treatment options.

Methods

Serum VILIP-1 and YKL-40 levels were analyzed in 33 probable AD patients and 23 healthy controls. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for volumetric measurements. The results were compared with the control group and then the correlation analyze between markers and volumetric measurements of the patient group was achieved.

Results

The right and left hippocampus and amygdala, left medial temporal, right rostral anterior cingulate, total brain, cortex, white matter, gray matter, subcortical gray matter, right and left total cortex volumes of the probable AD group were significantly lower than those of the control group. In the correlation analysis, the YKL-40 level and left posterior cingulate volume and the VILIP-1 level and left amygdala volume were negatively correlated.

Conclusions

In AD, there is atrophy of the limbic structures, cortex, and white matter. While the relationship between these regions and neurodegenerative markers remains unclear, our findings highlight a notable correlation between YKL-40 and VILIP-1 levels and the left amygdala and left posterior cingulate cortex, respectively. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 374–379.