Background

Cognitive remediation (CR) combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to slow cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or remitted major depressive disorder (rMDD). Dysregulated angiogenesis is implicated in early neurodegeneration and may influence response to these interventions.

Objective

To determine whether baseline plasma angiogenesis markers moderate short-term and long-term cognitive response to CR + tDCS in older adults at risk for dementia.

Methods

Nineteen angiogenesis-related plasma biomarkers were measured at baseline in participants from the PACt-MD randomized controlled trial. Participants received active or sham CR plus active or sham tDCS for 8 weeks, followed by semi-annual booster sessions and online CR between visits. Cognitive assessments occurred at baseline, 8 weeks, and yearly. Elastic net regression identified relevant markers and baseline variables associated with the 8-week cognitive change. For selected markers, treatment*marker interactions were tested using multivariable linear regression adjusted for relevant demographic, clinical, and genetic covariates. Significant interactions were further examined using likelihood ratio tests in linear mixed-effects models across follow-up.

Results

In 271 participants, angiopoietin-2, endocan, and VCAM-1 were identified as relevant markers. Out of these three markers, only angiopoietin-2 interacted with treatment (β(SE) = 0.17(0.08), p = 0.04, p_adj = 0.11, f² = 0.02), with lower levels associated with greater 8-week cognitive improvement in the active treatment group, controlling for covariates. This moderating effect persisted during follow-up (χ²_LRT(3) = 24.9, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Lower baseline angiopoietin-2 may identify older adults with MCI or rMDD that are more likely to benefit from CR + tDCS.

ClinicalTrials.gov; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02386670; NCT02386670.