Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40696815›Full record

SynthesisBrain and behavior2025

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

Chengyan Han, Zining Zhou, Linlin Kong, Jing Lu, Xinyun Li

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Brain and behavior, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Chengyan HanSchool of Rehabilitation, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Zining ZhouSchool of Rehabilitation, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Linlin KongDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Jing LuDepartment of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Xinyun LiSchool of Rehabilitation, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Funding

Medical and Health Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province 2024KY927Medical Technology-14th Five-Year Plan Provincial First-Class Discipline 00004FSYLB2023004The Basic Scientific Research Funds of Department of Education of Zhejiang Province KYQN2023002The Chinese Medicine Research Program of Zhejiang Province 2024ZL368The 'Pioneer and Leading Goose + X' Technology Program 2025C02200The Project Supported by Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department Y202352824The Project Supported by Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department Y202352929
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIrisin 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.

methodsFive 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).

resultsThere 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).

conclusionsThis study implied that irisin has a positive effect on cognitive function, and the mechanism may be associated with promoting the expression of BDNF.

Indexed as

CognitionFibronectinsBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorHumansBDNF protein, humanBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorFibronectinsFNDC5 protein, humancognitive functionirisinmeta‐analysissystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40696815
PMCPMC12284321

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.