The aim of this study is to identify transcriptomic biomarkers in blood cells to diagnose early cognitive impairment. This would allow preventing the development of severe pathologies, such as Alzheimer Disease. In addition, this project will analyse the influence of adiposity, obesity, nutritional habits and physical activity on cognition.
Blood cells constitute a minimally invasive material, which is presented as potentially suitable for addressing the identification of clinical diagnostic biomarkers. This study will compare gene expression in blood cells of patients with various degrees of cognitive alteration (mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and dementia due to Alzheimer's Disease) compared to control individuals, to identify early biomarkers of impaired cognition. The availability of non-invasive early biomarkers of cognitive dysfunction is highly relevant in the field of public health, from the point of view of being able to prevent or delay the onset and/or progression of dementia and other cognitive disorders. In addition, it is intended to establish the association between the biomarkers identified with nutritional imbalances and increased adiposity/obesity.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
48
No intervention will be performed.
University of the Balearic Islands
Palma, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Percentage of semiquantitative gene expression of blood cells between the three groups
Gene expression analysis performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Percentage of semiquantitative gene expression between the groups: MCI vs Control, AD vs Control, and MCI vs AD
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), questionnaire (numerical scale)
Cognitive test
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), questionnaire (numerical scale)
Cognitive test
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire (CRIq), questionnaire (numerical scale)
Cognitive test
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Body composition (fat mass)
Percentage of fat mass measured using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Height (cm)
Basic anthropometric parameter, measured in centimeters with a tape-measure
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Weight (kg)
Basic anthropometric parameter, measured using a scale
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Waist-hip ratio (numerical ratio)
Basic anthropometric parameter. Waist circumference (cm) and hip circumference (cm) will be combined to report waist-hip ratio (waist(cm)/hip(cm))
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Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Blood pressure (mm Hg)
Basic anthropometric parameter, measured in millimeters of mercury with a blood pressure monitor
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2)
Basic anthropometric parameter. Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Complete blood count test (numbers of cells/mcL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample). It will be measured: red blood cells, white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) and platelets. All of them measured in numbers of cells/mcL by a complete blood count test.
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Plasma glucose (mg/dL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Triglycerides (TG, mg/dL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Total cholesterol (mg/dL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C,mg/dL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, mg/dL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST, U/L)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, U/L)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT, U/L)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Transpeptidase (GGT, U/L)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
C-reactive protein (CRP, mg/dL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Apolipoprotein E (APOE, mg/dL)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, %)
Circulating parameter (from blood sample)
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Test on nutritional habits, questionnaire (numerical scale)
Lifestyle test. Test on nutritional habits based on a 14-item Mediterranean diet questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ (numerical scale)
Lifestyle test, specifically a physical activity test
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Questionnaire (numerical scale)
Lifestyle test, specifically a screening for obstructive sleep apnea in adults
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)
Gait Speed Test (m/s)
Gait speed is recorded on a 4 meter walkway with 2 meter non-instrumented walkway segments at each end to allow for acceleration and deceleration. Gait speed recorded is the average of the speed for the two trials
Time frame: Baseline point (all groups)