Abstract
AbstractBackgroundHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous infectious agent, widely distributed in human populations. Its infection has been correlated with a number of age‐related disorders but associations with neurocognitive decline are not seen consistently. The Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α (TNF) is a cytokinine playing a key role in inflammation and TNF polymorphisms have been associated with various autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the impact of TNF genotype and HCMV on age‐related cognitive decline.MethodThe study cohort consisted of 200 Caucasian Australians (aged 59‐89 years) drawn from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study. We used linear regression models to assess the effect of TNF genotype, HCMV and their interaction on a series of domain‐specific composite scores (Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite; PACC, Recognition, Attention Processing, Language). The models accounted for the potential effect of age, education level and Apolipoprotein E genotype.ResultThe interaction between HCMV and TNF genotype significantly predicted PACC (b = 5.3; SE = 2.56; p = 0.04) and Recognition scores (b = 1.9; SE = 0.78; p = 0.01). Interactions were not significant in the other domains investigated (attention processing & language).ConclusionThe results suggest that the presence of TNF polymorphism, combined with HCMV infection have a protective effect against cognitive loss. Further research is needed to understand the underpinning mechanisms.
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