A Traditional Review of Sickle Cell Disease and the Associated Onset of Dementia: Hematological and Neurocognitive Crossroads

Abstract

Sickle cell trait and disease are potential risk factors for dementia and cognitive dysfunction in African Americans, as are genetic variants. This illness affects around 300 million people globally. Due to its ability to defend against severe malaria, it represents an evolutionary survival advantage. It has been shown that sickle cell disease and trait are independent risk factors for the prevalence and incidence of albuminuria and chronic renal disease. Sickle cell anemia impairs cognitive performance in people with minimal or mild manifestations of the genetic blood disorder, owing mostly to its cerebrovascular implications. Similarly, various cerebral minor vascular disorders, such as silent cerebral infarcts, have been linked to the sickle cell trait, which is associated with impaired cognitive ability. It has been found that patients with sickle cell disease have a significantly decreased subcortical and cortical brain volume. Adults and children with sickle cell disease have been documented to have attention-related issues, particularly reduced sustained attention.

Impact of Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Geography on Healthcare Outcomes for Children With Sickle Cell Disease in the United States: A Scoping Review

“…Education (type and duration) was also included within the lens of SES. This is especially important in this population, as children with SCD are often at risk for future intellectual disabilities and memory impairment [36]. Four studies looked at SES factors, such as health literacy and education among parents and children, and the impact on their children's health outcomes and overall quality of life [20,22,29,32].…”