Homocysteine and C-reactive protein are not markers of cognitive impairment in patients with major cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Background: Raised concentrations of plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with vascular disease and have also been implicated as independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in population studies. Objectives: To investigate the association of plasma homocysteine and CRP with cognition in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Cognition was assessed in 264 patients using a standard battery of neuropsychological tests. Patients were classified as having preexisting cognitive impairment (PreCI) by reference to a healthy control group or postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) by reference to baseline test scores. Results: PreCI was..