The Role of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Predicting Longitudinal Cognitive Function in an Older Adult Cohort

Abstract Carotid atherosclerosis has emerged as an early predictor of reduced cognitive function. Underlying this association are risk factors, such as overweight and obesity, that promote carotid atherosclerosis and poor cognitive outcomes. Given the prevalence of overweight and obesity among older adults, there is a critical need to better understand how atherosclerosis influences cognitive function in the context of elevated weight. To address this gap, the current study examined relations between carotid atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness [IMT]), and attention (Trailmaking Test) and executive function (Verbal Fluency Test) performance, and whether they varied as a function of weight status (body mass index [BMI] classification). Data were analyzed from 162 older adults (mean age = 68.43y, 34% male, 41% African American), free of major disease. Mutliple regression and analysis of variance analyses, adjusted for age, sex, education and mean arterial pressure, showed a statistically significant IMT x BMI interaction for Verbal Fluency performance (p=.04) and a trending IMT x BMI interaction for Trailmaking A performance (p=.05). Simple effects analysis of IMT and Verbal Fluency performance showed that this association was most pronounced among those who are obese. Findings suggest atherosclerosis may influence executive function in the context of obesity among older adults. As the development of carotid atherosclerosis is strongly related to aging, our findings suggest that maintaining a healthy weight may reduce its impact on executive function in older adulthood.

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Carotid intima-media thickness and bone turnover: the role of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen

Internal and Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1007/s11739-010-0356-y ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 127-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Christian Leli ◽

Leonella Pasqualini ◽

Gaetano Vaudo ◽

Stefano Gaggioli ◽

Anna Maria Scarponi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Turnover ◽

Type I Collagen ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Type I ◽

Media Thickness

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Cerebrovascular disease in diabetes mellitus: The role of carotid intima-media thickness

Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.numecd.2009.03.014 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 667-673 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

S. Vigili de Kreutzenberg ◽

A. Tiengo ◽

A. Avogaro

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Cerebrovascular Disease ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Media Thickness

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Common Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Patients with Late Rheumatoid Arthritis; What Is the Role of Gender?

Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences ◽

10.3923/pjbs.2011.812.816 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (16) ◽

pp. 812-816 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Abolhassan Shakeri ◽

Mohammad Babaei Bazzaz ◽

Alireza Khabbazi ◽

Rohollah Fadaei Fouladi

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Media Thickness

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Association Between Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness and Combinations of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Pre-Frailty in Older Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16162978 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (16) ◽

pp. 2978

Author(s):

Jinkee Park ◽

Jong-Hwan Park ◽

Hyuntae Park

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Surrogate Marker ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Frailty Status ◽

Media Thickness

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been proposed as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and pre-frailty are reportedly associated with increased CIMT. As the evidence on the association of CIMT with combinations of MCI and pre-frailty is limited, this association is examined. A total of 231 older adults participated. MCI was defined according to clinical consensus or psychometric criteria by a dementia specialist, and considering detailed neuropsychological assessments. Also, pre-frailty was defined as subjects with frail component of 1 or 2. Carotid variables were measured using a B-mode ultrasound. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to assess independent differences in CIMT among the four groups, according to the cognitive function and frailty status after a multivariate adjustment. Increased CIMT is associated with combinations of MCI and pre-frailty. ANCOVA showed that CIMTs were significantly different among the four groups according to the cognitive function and frailty status. CIMTmax combined with MCI and pre-frailty was the thickest (1.04 ± 0.3 mm), whereas the CIMT of no MCI and no pre-frailty was the thinnest (0.82 ± 0.2 mm). The results suggest that combinations of MCI and pre-frailty are associated with increased CIMT in older adults.

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Carotid intima–media thickness relative to cognitive impairment in dialysis patients, and their relationship with brain volume and cerebral small vessel disease

Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease ◽

10.1177/2040622320953352 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 204062232095335

Author(s):

Ke Zheng ◽

Yujun Qian ◽

Tiaye Lin ◽

Fei Han ◽

Hui You ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Brain Atrophy ◽

Brain Volume ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Dialysis Patients ◽

Matter Volume ◽

Media Thickness

Background: Carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) is considered a risk factor for and predictor of cerebrovascular disease. In this study, we explored the contribution of cIMT to cognitive impairment (CI) in dialysis patients and the role of cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD) and brain atrophy in this process. Methods: Cognitive function was assessed using a comprehensive cognitive test battery. CSVD and brain volume were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, and cIMT was measured by ultrasonography. Multivariable analysis and mediation were used to explore the relevant relationships among cIMT, CI, CSVD and brain volume. Results: Seventy-three dialysis patients were enrolled. Approximately 54.8% were diagnosed with increased cIMT. The increased cIMT group was older and had lower serum albumin and creatinine levels than the normal cIMT group. There was no difference in the CSVD prevalence between the different cIMT groups. Patients in the normal, unilaterally and bilaterally increased cIMT subgroups demonstrated a gradual decrease in brain-matter volume and degenerate cognitive function. cIMT was related to cognitive function and gray-/white-matter volume. Increased cIMT was associated with a significantly increased risk of a reduced Mini Mental State Examination/Montreal Cognitive Assessment score and Trail A/B time delay. Mediation analysis showed that CI was mediated by brain-matter volume but not by CSVD. Conclusion: Increased cIMT was an independent risk factor for impairment of global cognitive function, memory, and executive function. The impact of cIMT on cognition was not induced by CSVD but by brain atrophy. cIMT may be a useful tool for screening patients at high risk of CI in the dialysis population.

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