Background The caregiving burden of the spousal caregivers (SCGs) to individuals with cognitive impairment poses public health challenges with adverse psychosocial and physiological effects. However, few studies have investigated the neurobiological impact of caregiving, particularly through the investigation of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Methods Using data from a longitudinal cohort at Chungnam National University Hospital, the relationship between caregiving burden, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration was examined in 38 older adult couples over a 16-month period. Caregiving burden was assessed through a multifaceted approach. For factors related to the care recipient, we assessed cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Factors regarding the SCGs included the measurement of perceived depression. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was used as a plasma biomarker for neuroinflammation and neurofilament light chain (NfL) for neurodegeneration. Regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, apolipoprotein E status, follow-up interval, vascular risk factors, and physical activity. Results Changes in depression among SCGs were significantly correlated with increased GFAP levels (p = 0.003), indicating that greater depressive symptoms during caregiving are associated with increased neuroinflammation. In contrast, no significant correlations were found between changes in cognitive function or neuropsychiatric symptoms in care recipients and the plasma biomarker levels of SCGs. Additionally, there was no significant association between changes in depression and NfL levels in SCGs. Conclusions The psychological stress experienced by SCGs while caring for partners with cognitive impairment actively contributes to neuroinflammation, a well-known risk factor for various diseases. This study emphasizes the need to address psychological stress experienced by older adult caregivers.

中文翻译：

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与照顾相关的抑郁症会增加配偶照顾者和认知障碍患者的神经炎症：一项纵向研究


背景 配偶照顾者（SCG）对认知障碍患者的照顾负担给公共健康带来了挑战，并产生了不利的社会心理和生理影响。然而，很少有研究调查护理对神经生物学的影响，特别是通过神经炎症和神经变性的研究。方法 利用忠南国立大学医院的纵向队列数据，对 38 对老年夫妇在 16 个月内的护理负担、神经炎症和神经变性之间的关系进行了检查。通过多方面的方法评估护理负担。对于与护理接受者相关的因素，我们评估了认知功能和神经精神症状。有关 SCG 的因素包括感知抑郁的测量。胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）被用作神经炎症的血浆生物标志物，神经丝轻链（NfL）被用作神经变性的血浆生物标志物。回归分析根据年龄、性别、载脂蛋白E状态、随访间隔、血管危险因素和体力活动进行调整。结果 SCG 中抑郁症的变化与 GFAP 水平升高显着相关 (p = 0.003)，表明护理期间抑郁症状加重与神经炎症增加相关。相比之下，护理对象认知功能或神经精神症状的变化与 SCG 血浆生物标志物水平之间没有发现显着相关性。此外，抑郁症的变化与 SCG 中 NfL 水平之间没有显着关联。 结论 SCG 在照顾有认知障碍的伴侣时所经历的心理压力会导致神经炎症，而神经炎症是多种疾病的众所周知的危险因素。这项研究强调需要解决老年护理人员所经历的心理压力。