Abstract Details

Title Endothelial Progenitor Cells as a Protective Vascular Factor Against Memory Impairment in Older Adults with White Matter Hyperintensities

Topic Aging, Dementia, and Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) Aging and Dementia Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 051

Objective To examine whether endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) elevation related to white matter damage is associated with better memory performance.

Background White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment. The role of vascular risk factors in the development of WMHs is well established, yet protective factors remain elusive. Mobilization of EPCs is observed in response to strokes and may represent a protective vascular factor. However, the role for EPCs in WMHs and their cognitive consequences remains unknown.

Design/Methods Fifty-three older adults (mean age = 69.5 years, standard deviation (SD) = 7.6) free of dementia or stroke underwent venipuncture, brain MRI and neuropsychological testing. EPCs were quantified by flow cytometry as cells in the lymphocyte gate expressing EPC surface markers (CD34+CD133+CD309+). WMH volume was quantified on FLAIR images using the Lesion Segmentation Tool toolbox for SPM. Memory assessment evaluated verbal (RAVLT, Logical Memory) and visual (WMS-III Visual Reproduction) memory.

Results WMH volume, blood EPC count and WMH volume by EPC count interaction were significantly associated with RAVLT learning and memory (ps <.05), adjusting for age and education. The interaction was probed at mean WMH volume, one SD above (high WMH volume) and below (low WMH volume). At a high and mean WMH volume, higher EPC count correlated with better RAVLT learning and memory performance (ps <.05). At low WMH volume, EPCs were not associated with RAVLT performance. The interaction was also associated with Logical Memory I and Visual Reproduction performance (ps <.05).

Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that greater EPC levels are associated with better memory performance in individuals with higher WMH burden, consistent with a theoretical model of EPCs as a protective factor in cerebrovascular injury. Larger longitudinal studies will evaluate whether EPCs are mobilized in response to increasing WMHs and protect memory function in older adults with high WMH burden.

Authors/Disclosures
PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
Shubir Dutt	Mr. Dutt has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Belinda Yew	Ms. Yew has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
Anna E. Blanken	Ms. Blanken has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Daniel A. Nation, PhD (UC Irvine-Institute for Memory Impairments & Neurological Disorders)	Dr. Nation has nothing to disclose.

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Abstract Details