Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT Background Irisin is a newly discovered muscle factor, and more and more research has focused on the association between irisin and brain function. Our study aimed at investigating the correlation between irisin level and cognition. Methods Five electronic databases were searched for the co...

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Main Authors: Chengyan Han, Zining Zhou, Linlin Kong, Jing Lu, Xinyun Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70662
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author Chengyan Han
Zining Zhou
Linlin Kong
Jing Lu
Xinyun Li
author_facet Chengyan Han
Zining Zhou
Linlin Kong
Jing Lu
Xinyun Li
author_sort Chengyan Han
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Irisin is a newly discovered muscle factor, and more and more research has focused on the association between irisin and brain function. Our study aimed at investigating the correlation between irisin level and cognition. Methods Five electronic databases were searched for the correlation between irisin level and cognition in humans. The primary outcome was the correlation between irisin level and global cognition. Secondary outcomes were the correlation between irisin level and each cognitive domain, the correlation between brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level and global cognition, and the correlation between irisin level and BDNF level. Correlation coefficient (r) was used as effect size with its 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results There were a total of 11 articles that reported the correlation between irisin level and global cognition, and the pooled result showed a positive correlation among them (r = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10–0.41). The subgroup analysis showed a positive correlation among non‐Asians (r = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16–0.40), studies with small sample size (r = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20–0.49), irisin measured from both serum (r = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15–0.49) and cerebrospinal fluid (r = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.03–0.50), scales using Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) (r = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.16–0.52), and study populations with diseases impairing cognition (r = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07–0.43). Besides, our results indicated that there were no correlations between irisin level and cognitive domains, including immediate memory, short‐term memory, executive function, attention, language, and visual spatial ability (all p > 0.05). Additionally, the results suggested a positive correlation between BDNF level and global cognitive function (r = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12–0.42), as well as the correlation between irisin level and BDNF level (r = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24–0.56). Conclusions This study implied that irisin has a positive effect on cognitive function, and the mechanism may be associated with promoting the expression of BDNF.
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spelling doaj-art-0552ba93bffa4d8a845abe9954f04d0a2025-08-20T03:09:00ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-07-01157n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70662Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐AnalysisChengyan Han0Zining Zhou1Linlin Kong2Jing Lu3Xinyun Li4School of Rehabilitation Hangzhou Medical College Hangzhou Zhejiang ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Hangzhou Medical College Hangzhou Zhejiang ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou ChinaSchool of Rehabilitation Hangzhou Medical College Hangzhou Zhejiang ChinaABSTRACT Background Irisin is a newly discovered muscle factor, and more and more research has focused on the association between irisin and brain function. Our study aimed at investigating the correlation between irisin level and cognition. Methods Five electronic databases were searched for the correlation between irisin level and cognition in humans. The primary outcome was the correlation between irisin level and global cognition. Secondary outcomes were the correlation between irisin level and each cognitive domain, the correlation between brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level and global cognition, and the correlation between irisin level and BDNF level. Correlation coefficient (r) was used as effect size with its 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results There were a total of 11 articles that reported the correlation between irisin level and global cognition, and the pooled result showed a positive correlation among them (r = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10–0.41). The subgroup analysis showed a positive correlation among non‐Asians (r = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16–0.40), studies with small sample size (r = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20–0.49), irisin measured from both serum (r = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15–0.49) and cerebrospinal fluid (r = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.03–0.50), scales using Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) (r = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.16–0.52), and study populations with diseases impairing cognition (r = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07–0.43). Besides, our results indicated that there were no correlations between irisin level and cognitive domains, including immediate memory, short‐term memory, executive function, attention, language, and visual spatial ability (all p > 0.05). Additionally, the results suggested a positive correlation between BDNF level and global cognitive function (r = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12–0.42), as well as the correlation between irisin level and BDNF level (r = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24–0.56). Conclusions This study implied that irisin has a positive effect on cognitive function, and the mechanism may be associated with promoting the expression of BDNF.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70662cognitive functionirisinmeta‐analysissystematic review
spellingShingle Chengyan Han
Zining Zhou
Linlin Kong
Jing Lu
Xinyun Li
Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Brain and Behavior
cognitive function
irisin
meta‐analysis
systematic review
title Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
title_full Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
title_fullStr Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
title_short Association Between Irisin Level and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
title_sort association between irisin level and cognitive function a systematic review and meta analysis
topic cognitive function
irisin
meta‐analysis
systematic review
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70662
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