AUTHOR=Zhang Yuling , Song Haixin , Wang Jun , Xi Xiao , Cefalo Philip , Wood Lisa J. , Luo Xun , Wang Qing Mei TITLE=Multiplex array analysis of serum cytokines offers minimal predictive value for cognitive function in the subacute phase after stroke JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.886018 DOI=10.3389/fneur.2022.886018 ISSN=1664-2295 ABSTRACT=Objective

The effects of inflammation on post-stroke cognitive function are still unclear. This study investigated the correlation between the Th17-related cytokines in peripheral blood and post-stroke cognitive function after ischemic stroke in the subacute phase.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Academic acute inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Participants

One hundred and fourteen patients with first ischemic stroke were categorized as the poor cognitive recovery group (n = 58) or good cognitive recovery group (n = 56) based on their cognitive MRFS efficiency.

Interventions

All subjects received routine physical, occupational, and speech-language pathology therapy.

Main outcome measures

Serum cytokines/chemokine (IL-1 β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-17E, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-27, IL-28A, IL-31, IL-33, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, MIP-3 α, TNF-α, and TNF-β) levels were measured in duplicate using Human Th17 magnetic bead panel and multiplex array analysis (Luminex-200 system). The primary functional outcome was a gain in functional independence measure (FIM) cognitive subscore at discharge. The secondary outcome measures were FIM total score at discharge, length of stay in the hospital, and discharge destination. Cognitive Montebello Rehabilitation Factor Score (MRFS) and cognitive MRFS efficiency were calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from the medical record.

Results

The good cognitive recovery group had an interesting trend of higher IL-13 than the poor cognitive recovery group (good cognitive recovery group 257.82 ± 268.76 vs. poor cognitive recovery group 191.67 ± 201.82, p = 0.049, unit: pg/ml). However, Pearson's correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between cytokine levels and gain of cognition, cognitive MRFS, or cognitive MRFS efficiency. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of cytokines also suggested a low accuracy of prediction as a predictor for post-stroke cognitive recovery improvement.

Conclusion

Our preliminary findings suggested that the level of serum cytokines had minimal predictive value for the recovery of cognitive function during the subacute inpatient rehabilitation after stroke.