Abstract
Background: Inflammation and cytokine production are a common finding in
aging, which probably exert influence on cognitive and functional abilities in elderly
people. Transforming-growth-factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is an important multifunctional
anti-inflammatory cytokine that displays immunomodulatory activities.
Objective: This prospective investigation aimed to evaluate the TGF-β1 codon
10 T>C on functional and cognitive decline in subjects aged 75+ years.
Methods: The Functional Activities Questionnaire evaluated the functional
performance and the cognitive assessment was evaluated through brief cognitive tests,
consisting of: the Mini-Mental State Examination, animal category fluency test, and
picture drawings memory test. All tests were administered twice, with a one-year
interval.
Results: Carriers of Tlower allele showed significant short-term
decline in cognitive and functional performance, while individuals with
CChigher genotype of TGF-β1 codon 10 T>C remained stable or showed
improvement.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the lower production of TGF-β1 could
predict a longitudinal functional and cognitive decline in oldest-old individuals.
