To investigate the expression and significance of neurogranin (NG) in plasma exosomes of patients with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).

Sixty patients with VCI were selected as the observation group, and 40 patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) were selected as the observation group. Patients without cognitive impairment were served as CVD group and 30 healthy volunteers as control group. Exosomes were extracted from plasma exosomes kit and verified by electron microscopy and particle size analysis. Ng levels in exosomes were detected by ELISA, and cognitive function (MoCA) score was measured. Mann Whitney U test, t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for comparison between groups.

The total MOCA score and scores of attention, language, execution, memory, calculation, orientation and visual structure skills in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the CVD group and the healthy control group (P < 0) The levels of ng in the plasma exosomes of VCI patients, CVD patients and normal controls were (609.89±201.12), (898.28±146.23) and (905.39±130.15) mg/L, respectively. There were significant differences between VCI group and the other two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: the level of ng in plasma exosomes of patients with VCI is decreased, which may be a potential diagnostic marker of VCI.