Frailty increasingly is recognized as a factor that modifies the relationship between disease biomarkers, including neuropathology, and dementia expression. The mechanisms underlying the relationship between frailty and dementia remain unclear, but blood biomarkers can offer insight into these mechanisms. We completed a scoping review of research examining the associations between blood biomarkers, frailty, and cognition. Three online databases were searched to identify original research examining blood biomarkers in the context of frailty and\/or cognitive decline that accounted for the other condition in the analysis through stratification or inclusion in the model. Five of the 76 unique biomarkers identified -A disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10), fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-6, neurofilament light chain (NfL) and vitamin D- were significantly and independently associated with both frailty and cognition. All five biomarkers could contribute to aging mechanisms, including disrupted proteostasis, chronic inflammation, dysregulated metabolism and\/or deregulated nutrient sensing. These biomarkers could thus be common pathways of frailty and cognitive decline. Despite the Alzheimer-defining roles of \u03b2-amyloid and phosphorylated tau, these biomarkers typically are reported without considering the degree of frailty. Future biomarker research in cognitive decline and frailty should seek a clearer understanding of their relationship.<\/p>\n
We know that people who are frail are more likely to develop dementia, the most severe stage of cognitive decline, and we also know that people who have dementia are more likely to be frail. However, the processes that underlie these two related conditions are not well understood. Blood tests could help us learn more about the relationship between frailty and dementia because they are common and inexpensive.<\/p>\n
We looked at existing research that examined how blood biomarkers, molecules found in the blood that are indicators of the body\u2019s health, relate to frailty and cognitive decline. Sixty-three different biomarkers were studied, but three\u2014ADAM10, fibrinogen, and vitamin D\u2014were linked to both frailty and cognitive decline. These biomarkers are connected to important processes in aging, like managing proteins in the body, chronic inflammation, and how the body uses energy and nutrients. This suggests these processes might play a role in both frailty and cognitive decline. Future studies should consider frailty and cognitive decline in their research to better understand how they are connected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"studies-relation":[],"class_list":["post-17705","ccna_publication","type-ccna_publication","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n