Association of infections and autoimmune conditions with cognition: a study using self-reported conditions and identifying a novel plasma biomarker

Product:

CNS Disease Panel 120

Topic:

Population Health

Disease Area:

Population Health

Sample Type:

Plasma

Topic/Product:

CNS Disease Panel 120

Disease Area:

Population Health

Sample Type:

Plasma

Abstract

Background: Over the past couple of decades, the role of infections, as well as the involvement of the immune system, have been highlighted in the development of dementia.

Method: Data from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention cohort were utilized for the analysis. A history of medical conditions was searched across the cohort, and known infections and autoimmune conditions were recorded for each participant. These conditions were then compared with the diagnosis and cognitive performances of each participant. Furthermore, plasma markers were analyzed using two different protein quantification methods.

Results: Our analysis revealed poorer cognitive performances among participants with listed medical conditions. In plasma samples, Ab42/ICAM1 was identified as a protein ratio with significant variation across condition statuses.

Discussion: Our study confirmed that infections and autoimmune conditions contribute to cognitive decline. Ab42/ICAM1 was identified as a relevant marker.

Authors & Affiliations

Patrick S. Slama¹, Adam R. Macbale², and Bruno M. Jedynak²

¹ Independent researcher
² Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Portland State University

Steve Williams, MD, PhD

CSO

Dr. Willams serves as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer. He was previously Chief Medical Officer at Standard Biotools and at SomaLogic where he pioneered the discipline for discovery and validation of predictive, diagnostic and prognostic models using machine-learning applied to large-plex proteomics. 20 such tests were used for drug characterization, safety and efficacy when incorporated in clinical drug trials at Pharma/Biotech and 17 different multivariate tests were validated and translated into regulated healthcare uses. Prior to SomaLogic, Dr. Williams was at Pfizer in the UK and the USA as a clinical triallist in Translational Medicine, and subsequently as VP, Global Clinical Technology. He sat on the National Advisory Council for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the Executive Committee for the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium, and worked with FDA and PhRMA on developing evidentiary standards for biomarker qualification. Dr. William’s medical training was in London, at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, followed by a PhD in medicine/physiology at the same institution and training in Radiology at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Steve is co-inventor on 26 proteomics patents and author/coauthor on multiple foundational proteomics manuscripts.

Justin McAnear

CFO

Mr. McAnear serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. He brings over 25 years of operational and financial leadership experience across various sectors and was instrumental in taking 10x Genomics public in 2019, serving as its CFO for over five years. Mr. McAnear served for over 3 years as Tesla’s VP of Worldwide Finance and Operations, supporting landmark initiatives such as the Model X and Model 3 launches and Solar City acquisition. He also held various roles at Apple and J&J earlier in his career and served as a naval officer and aviator for over 9 years.