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Vascular and cognitive functions associated with cardiovascular disease in the elderly
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Vascular and cognitive functions associated with cardiovascular disease in the elderly

Ronald A Cohen, Athena Poppas, Daniel E Forman, Karin F Hoth, Andreana P Haley, John Gunstad, Angela L Jefferson, David F Tate, Robert H Paul, Lawrence H Sweet, …
Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology, Vol.31(1), pp.96-110
01/01/2009
DOI: 10.1080/13803390802014594
PMCID: PMC2739675
PMID: 18608677

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Abstract

This study examines the relationship between systemic vascular function, neurocognitive performance, and structural brain abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among geriatric outpatients with treated, stable cardiovascular disease and no history of neurological illness (n = 88, ages 56-85 years). Vascular function was assessed by cardiac ejection fraction and output, sequential systolic and diastolic blood pressures, flow mediated brachial artery reactivity (BAR), and carotid intima media thickness (IMT). White matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI were quantified and examined relative to cognitive and vascular function. Principal component analysis revealed two primary vascular components: one associated with cardiac function, the other with atherosclerotic burden/endothelial dysfunction. Both factors were significantly associated with cognitive function and WMH volume. Reduced systolic variability and increased IMT were most strongly related to reduced attention, executive function, and information-processing speed. These findings suggest the possibility that systemic vascular indices may provide proxy measures of cerebrovascular dysfunction and reinforce the importance of achieving greater understanding of interaction between systemic vascular disease and brain dysfunction among elderly people with cardiovascular disease.
White matter hyperintensities Executive function Magnetic resonance imaging Attention Flow mediated dilatation intima lamina thickness Psychomotor function Cardiovascular disease Blood pressure variability Cognition Cardiac output Cerebrovascular disease

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