Increased S100β Is Associated with Reduced Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults

Objectives: Vascular pathology is associated with reduced performance on neuropsychological tests, particularly in older adults. A likely explanation involves a disruption in the blood brain barrier (BBB). Work from clinical samples show alterations in BBB function is associated with cognitive dysfunction on testing, though no study has examined this possibility in healthy older adults. Materials and Methods: 35 older adults, without significant neurological or psychiatric history, underwent fasting blood draw and neuropsychological testing. Serum levels of S100β were quantified to provide a measure of BBB function. Results: Partial correlations showed S100β levels were inversely related to performance in multiple cognitive domains, including memory (r = 0.43, p = 0.02), psychomotor speed and visual attention (r = 0.37, p = 0.05), and working memory (r = –0.48, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Findings indicate that increased S100β levels are associated with poorer cognitive function in neurologically healthy older adults, implicating BBB function in age-related cognitive decline. Further work is needed to clarify possible mechanisms, particularly longitudinal studies that involve neuroimaging.