Objective. The aim of this preliminary study was to describe putative markers of cerebral vasculopathy and investigate relationships\namong these markers, demographic factors, and cognitive function in a young sample of neurologically normal\nchildren with SCD. Study Design. Thirty-eight children with homozygous HbS, aged 4â??11 years, were included. Estimated IQ\nand markers of coagulation and endothelial activation, hemolysis, and inflammation, as well as transcranial Doppler velocities,\nhydroxyurea use, and demographic information were obtained. Results. Using multiple regression analyses, there were few\nsignificant independent associations between biomarkers or blood flow velocity and estimated IQ. Lactic dehydrogenase\n(LDH) independently predicted cognitive function, but blood flow velocity did not mediate this relationship. Maternal\neducation, patient age, and hydroxyurea status were independent predictors of cognition. Given the small sample size, a LASSO\nstatistical model was employed to further identify potential predictors of IQ, which identified LDH, absolute neutrophil count\n(ANC), platelet count, thrombin-antithrombin (TAT), tissue factor (TF), maternal education, age, and hydroxyurea as\npotential predictors of cognition. Conclusions. In addition to effects of age and maternal education, some vasculopathic\nmarkers are associated with cognitive function in young children with SCD, and these relationships do not appear to be\nmediated through blood flow velocity. Although the lack of association among certain variables was not as predicted, results\nprovide support for further research regarding the influence of vasculopathic markers on cognitive function in children with\nSCD without stroke, especially intravascular hemolysis and coagulation/endothelial activation, and a possible role for HU\ntreatment in preventing or reversing cognitive decline.
Loading....