Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase Activity and Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment
Author Information
Author(s): Allison B Gold, Nathan Herrmann, Walter Swardfager, Sandra E Black, Richard I Aviv, Gayla Tennen, Alexander Kiss, Krista L Lanctôt
Primary Institution: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hypothesis
IDO activation is associated with the presence of cognitive symptoms post-stroke.
Conclusion
An inflammatory response characterized by IDO activation may be relevant to the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher K/T ratios were associated with lower post-stroke global cognition.
- A K/T ratio of 78.3 μmol/mmol predicted significant cognitive impairment with 67% sensitivity and 86% specificity.
- The study found that the K/T ratio explained 21% of the variance in MMSE scores.
Takeaway
After a stroke, higher levels of a certain chemical ratio in the blood can mean more trouble thinking and remembering things.
Methodology
Patients were assessed for cognition, stroke severity, and depressive symptoms, and blood samples were analyzed for tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding variables such as pre-stroke cognitive capacity and white matter disease burden were not assessed.
Limitations
The study used a brief cognitive screening instrument and had a relatively small sample size.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 72.3 years, 53.7% male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.037
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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