Pulmonary function, cognitive impairment and brain atrophy in a middle-aged community sample

P S Sachdev; K J Anstey; R A Parslow; W Wen; J Maller; R Kumar; H Christensen; A F Jorm

doi:10.1159/000091438

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Pulmonary function, cognitive impairment and brain atrophy in a middle-aged community sample

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Pulmonary function, cognitive impairment and brain atrophy in a middle-aged community sample

P S Sachdev, K J Anstey, R A Parslow, W Wen, J Maller, R Kumar, H Christensen and A F Jorm

Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, Vol.21(5-6), pp.300-308

01/01/2006

DOI: 10.1159/000091438

PMID: 16484809

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Abstract

To determine the relationship of lung function to brain anatomical parameters and cognitive function and to examine the mediating factors for any relationships. A random sub-sample of 469 persons (men = 252) aged 60-64 years from a larger community sample underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging scans and pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity, FVC, forced expiratory volume in the first second, FEV(1)). Subjects were assessed for global cognitive function, episodic memory, working memory, information processing speed, fine motor dexterity and grip strength. The magnetic resonance imaging scans were analysed for overall brain atrophy, subcortical atrophy (ventricle-to-brain ratio, VBR), hippocampal volume, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume. FEV(1) had a significant negative correlation with overall brain atrophy and VBR in men. The FEV(1)/FVC ratio had a significant correlation with WMHs in both men and women. In regression models that controlled for sex, age, height, level of activity, smoking, chronic respiratory disease and education, FEV(1) and FVC were significant predictors of VBR but no other structural brain measure. Pulmonary function was also significantly related to information processing speed and fine motor dexterity. Male subjects with chronic respiratory disease had more deep WMHs. Path analyses to examine if structural measures mediated between lung function and cognition, and whether markers of inflammation and oxidative stress or cortisol mediated between lung function and brain measures were negative. Decreased lung function is related to poorer cognitive function and increased subcortical atrophy in mid-adult life. Presence of chronic respiratory disease may be related to deep WMHs in men.

Atrophy - pathology

Brain - anatomy & histology

Brain - pathology

C-Reactive Protein - physiology

Cognition Disorders - diagnosis

Cognition Disorders - epidemiology

Cognition Disorders - etiology

Cross-Sectional Studies

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Lung Diseases - diagnosis

Lung Diseases - epidemiology

Lung Diseases - physiopathology

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Male

Middle Aged

Neuropsychological Tests

Prevalence

Respiratory Function Tests

Severity of Illness Index

Details

Title: Subtitle: Pulmonary function, cognitive impairment and brain atrophy in a middle-aged community sample
Creators: P S Sachdev - UNSW Sydney
K J Anstey - Australian National University
R A Parslow - Australian National University
W Wen - UNSW Sydney
J Maller - Australian National University
R Kumar - Australian National University
H Christensen - Australian National University
A F Jorm - Australian National University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, Vol.21(5-6), pp.300-308
DOI: 10.1159/000091438
PMID: 16484809
NLM abbreviation: Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord
ISSN: 1420-8008
eISSN: 1421-9824
Language: English
Date published: 01/01/2006
Academic Unit: Radiology
Record Identifier: 9984848429702771

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