Relationship between MMP-9 serum levels and tHcy levels and total imaging load and cognitive dysfunction

Objectives: To investigate the correlation and predictive value of serum matrix met-alloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level with cognitive dysfunction and total imaging load in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Methods: A total of 80 patients with CSVD who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between April 2019 and April 2020 were enrolled. All subjects under-went T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2WI, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), serum sample collection, and assess-ment of cognitive function at a specific time-point after admission. According to the results of the neuropsychological test, subjects were divided into cognitive dysfunc-tion group (n=40) and normal cognitive function group (n=40). The total imaging load was estimated according to the neuroimaging findings. Serum MMP-9 level was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Beside, serum MMP-9 level and total imaging load were compared between the two groups. Results: Serum levels of MMP-9 and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) were negatively correlated with cognitive function (P<0.05). Serum MMP-9 level was found as a significant factor for diagnosing cognitive impairment due to CSVD (area under the curve (AUC), 0.756; sensitivity and specificity were 97.5% and 75.0%, respectively). THcy level was also found as significant factor for diagnosing cognitive impairment due to CSVD (area under the curve (AUC), 0.727; sensitivity and specificity were 97.5% and 75.0%, respectively). Conclusion: Serum MMP-9 level and tHcy level were significantly correlated with cognitive function in patients with CSVD. Serum MMP-9 level has a specific correlation with the total imaging load in patients with CSVD. It plays an important role in diagnosing cognitive impairment in patients with CSVD.(c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)