Association of IL-1β, IL-1α and IL-10 single nucleotide polymorphisms with Mini-Mental State Examination and event-related potentials

Abstract

Background: Neuroinflammation is enhanced in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain. Its association with both amyloid and tau pathology is well documented. Activated microglia in the AD brain release pro-inflammatory cytokines that can damage neurons, while anti-inflammatory cytokines are also released to oppose this process. Association of IL-1β -1473C/G, IL-1α -889C/T and IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphisms with AD has been amply documented previously. In this study we assessed whether people carrying certain genotypes in these polymorphisms were more prone to disease progression as tested by the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and event-related potentials (ERP). Methods: After blood collection, isolation of DNA and determination of polymorphisms, 226 subjects were tested neuropsychologically using MMSE (including AD patients, mild cognitive impairment patients, patients with other causes of dementia, and healthy controls). ERP were measured by electroencephalography (EEG) in this cohort. Results: MMSE scores were significantly lower in patients carrying the G allele in the IL-1β -1473, T allele in the IL-1α -889, and A allele in the IL-10 -1082 polymorphism. The P300 latency was significantly prolonged in patients carrying the G allele in the IL-1β -1473 polymorphism. Conclusions: Patients carrying risk genotypes in IL-1β -1473, IL-1α -889 and IL-10 -1082 polymorphisms may be susceptible to faster disease progression. Additionally, IL-1β -1473 polymorphism may represent a strong genetic biomarker of AD.