Abstract
BackgroundConcentrations of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), a hormone that regulates phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism, increase as kidney function declines. Excess fibroblast growth factor 23 may impact brain function through promotion of vascular disease or through direct effects on neuronal tissue.MethodsIn the Healthy Aging and Body Composition Study, a longitudinal observational cohort of well-functioning older adults, intact serum FGF-23 was assayed in 2,738 individuals. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and longitudinally at years 3, 5, and 8 by administration of the Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MSE), a test of global cognitive function, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), a test primarily of executive function. The associations between FGF-23 and baseline cognitive function and incident cognitive impairment were evaluated using logistic and Poisson regression respectively, and were adjusted for demographics, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin/creatinine ratio, comorbidity, and other measures of mineral metabolism including soluble klotho.ResultsThe mean (SD) age was 74(3) years, with 51% female, and 39% black. The median (25th, 75th) FGF-23 concentration was 47 pg/mL (37, 60). Three hundred ninety-two individuals had prevalent cognitive impairment by the 3MSE and 461 by the DSST. There was no observed association between FGF-23 and baseline cognitive function for either cognitive test. There were 277 persons with incident cognitive impairment by 3MSE, and 333 persons with incident cognitive impairment by DSST. In fully adjusted models, each two-fold higher concentration of baseline FGF-23 was not associated with incident cognitive impairment by the 3MSE (IRR = 1.02[0.88, 1.19] fully adjusted model) or by the DSST (IRR = 0.98 [0.84, 1.15]. We saw no difference when analyses were stratified by eGFR greater than or less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2.ConclusionIntact FGF-23 was not associated with baseline cognitive function or incident cognitive impairment in this cohort well-functioning older adults.
Highlights
Older adults are at high risk of developing both cognitive impairment and chronic kidney disease (CKD)
There was no observed association between fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and baseline cognitive function for either cognitive
FGF-23 and cognitive impairment were supported by NIA grant 5R01AG027002-07
Summary
Older adults are at high risk of developing both cognitive impairment and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in patients with CKD and increases in both prevalence and severity in older individuals with more advanced stages of kidney disease [1]. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a circulating hormone that is involved in the regulation of phosphorus balance and vitamin D. As increases in FGF-23 appear primarily driven by decreased kidney function, there remains uncertainty about FGF-23’s potential role in the development of cognitive impairment in groups at higher risk for both cognitive impairment and kidney disease, such as older adults. Concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), a hormone that regulates phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism, increase as kidney function declines. Excess fibroblast growth factor 23 may impact brain function through promotion of vascular disease or through direct effects on neuronal tissue
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