• The study focused on the association between a network of circulating inflammatory molecules centered on the cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) and cerebral small vessel disease, which is linked to stroke risk.

• The researchers used baseline measurements of serum levels of various inflammatory markers from the Framingham Offspring Cohort to create an inflammatory composite score (ICS5).

• They then analyzed the association of ICS5 with incident stroke, brain imaging features, and cognitive testing performance.

• The study found a significant association between ICS5 and increased risk for incident all-cause stroke and ischemic stroke in the cohort.

• There was also an association between ICS5 and the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile score.

• Additionally, ICS5 showed an inverse association with global cognitive score but no association with magnetic resonance imaging metrics of cerebral small vessel disease.

• The study concludes that circulating inflammatory biomarkers centered on IL-18 are associated with an increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairment among the Framingham Offspring Cohort.

Click here to read more.