Friday, April 02, 2010

High CRP affects the brain

A new study in Neurology shows a link between elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), an indicator of low-grade inflammation, and decline in executive function. In addition, the researchers found a significant link between increased hs-CRP levels and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) indicators of microstructural disintegration of white matter in the frontal lobe — the seat of executive function.

Executive function is described as brain processes which are responsible for planning, cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking, rule acquisition, initiating appropriate actions and inhibiting inappropriate actions, and selecting relevant sensory information.

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