Using 6-CIT, P300 encephalography, and pro-inflammation assessments for screening age-related cognitive decline and exploring associated risk factors in Egyptian elderly

Background The elderly population is suffering from many mental health problems that are aggravated as a matter of age and cognitive decline is a serious one of them. The aim of the present work is to screen the cognitive performance among a sample of Egyptian elderly volunteers and to investigate the associated risk factors. Results A sample of 88 elderly volunteers from both genders was enrolled in the study according to the specified eligibility criteria after signing the approval consent. Medical history and socio-demographic data were collected from all participants in addition to basic clinical examination. Cognitive performance was assessed using the 6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT) while the endogenous event-related potentials (ERP) was measured using P300. The inflammatory biomarkers; TNF-α and COX-2 levels were assessed in serum using ELISA technique in addition to gene expression of TNF-α, PPAR-γ and CD-36 exploration using qRT-PCR. About half (51%) of the sample under investigation showed cognitive problems with scores on the 6-CIT exceeding the normal level. TNF-α serum levels showed positive correlation with P300 latency and correlated negatively with P300 reaction time. Furthermore, serum COX-2 levels correlated positively with P300 reaction time and negatively with P300 amplitude. Conclusion The study population is showing early signs of cognitive decline that invites attention to the importance of spreading preventive measures against further deterioration. Inflammatory biomarkers under investigation and 6-CIT are suggested to be used in prediction of early stages of cognitive decline among the elderly population.