Neutrophil inflammation metrics are associated with the risk of future dementia in large data from NYU Langone Hospitals and the Veterans Health Administration
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of systemic inflammation, has been linked to dementia risk, but prior studies were limited by small sample sizes. METHODS: We assessed the association between baseline NLR and incident Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzeimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) using electronic health records from New York University (NYU) (n = 284,530) and the Veterans Health Administration [VA] (n = 85,836) Hospitals from 2011 to 2023. AD/ADRD diagnoses were identified via International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes ≥6 months post-baseline. Cox models and cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) adjusted for demographic and clinical variables, with death as a competing risk. RESULTS: Higher NLR was associated significantly with increased AD/ADRD risk in both cohorts (NYU hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.15; VA HR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.34). Spline analysis further confirmed a continuous dose-response relationship, and subgroup analyses showed higher risk among female and Hispanic patients. DISCUSSION: Elevated NLR is independently associated with higher AD/ADRD risk across diverse populations, highlighting the role of systemic inflammation and neutrophil-mediated pathways in neurodegeneration.
Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia
DOI: 10.1002/alz.71335
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,200
Awards: G1212045471, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, G2182542083, Treatment of OSA on sleep-dependent memory and blood biomarkers in blacks, Alzheimer's Disease Core Center, G7338580883, Depression treatment and Aβ dynamics: A study of Alzheimer’s disease risk, Using a Health Disparity Research Framework to examine mechanisms linking Obstructive Sleep Apnea with higher Alzheimer’s disease risk in older Blacks/African-Americans, Identifying ADRD intervention targets by characterizing neurobiological mechanisms of social isolation, loneliness, and social environment using novel imaging, molecular markers, and machine learning, The mediating role of Slow Wave Sleep and Vascular Risk Factors on Alzheimer Disease related disparity between African-Americans and non-Hispanic Whites
OpenAlex ID: W7148993553