Is Memory Decline Associated With Inflammatory Response?

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether changes in memory over a 10-year period could predict a change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

METHOD: A mixed model analysis was first conducted to obtain the estimates for change in memory over the 10-year period using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Then a multivariate regression to determine whether a change in episodic memory could predict subsequent CRP levels was conducted. Furthermore, a general linear model was conducted to determine differences in CRP levels among different rates of change in episodic memory.

RESULTS: Greater declines in episodic memory were associated with higher levels of subsequent CRP (Estimate = -0.32, SE = 0.12, β = -.03, p = .008). The general linear model revealed that those with greater memory declines were more likely to have higher levels of CRP, F = 26.50, p < .001.

DISCUSSION: These results highlight the notion that memory decline and inflammation may be intertwined, and we discuss various avenues that warrant further investigation.