Increased adiponectin is associated with cerebral white matter lesions in the elderly with cognitive impairment

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived peptide that increases with age and is thought to protect against atherosclerotic vascular changes and organ damage. However, paradoxically, higher adiponectin levels are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events and mortality. We investigated whether this adiponectin paradox occurs in elderly people with cognitive impairment. Fifty-two elderly participants with mild cognitive impairment or dementia (20 male and 32 female, aged 60–93 years, mean 80.0) were recruited. We evaluated serum adiponectin levels and cerebral white matter lesions (WML), which are involved in cognitive decline and dementia, by computed tomography. Body mass index (BMI), Mini-Mental State Examination score, history of hypertension (HT), chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus were also assessed. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to reveal the relationships between serum adiponectin and age, sex, BMI, HT, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, Mini-Mental State Examination, and WML scores. High serum adiponectin levels correlated with more severe WML (P = 0.013). Low BMI (P < 0.001), female sex (P = 0.025), and high WML scores (P = 0.039) were significant determinants of high serum adiponectin. HT (P = 0.032) and high adiponectin levels (P = 0.021) were independent risk factors for WML. Overall, we observed an association between serum adiponectin levels and WML severity in elderly people with cognitive decline. Our findings reveal that the adiponectin paradox occurs in this population, and this study may help guide future treatments for elderly people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.