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

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pulmonology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Lung function is crucial for overall health.
• Brain health and cognitive function decline with age.
• The relationship between lung function and brain structure/cognition is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lung function and brain anatomical parameters.
• To examine the link between lung function and cognitive abilities.
• To identify potential mediating factors in these relationships.

Main Methods:

• 469 adults aged 60-64 underwent pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV(1)) and brain MRI.
• Brain MRI assessed overall atrophy, subcortical atrophy (VBR), hippocampal volume, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume.
• Cognitive function was evaluated for global cognition, memory, processing speed, and dexterity.

Main Results:

• FEV(1) correlated negatively with brain atrophy and VBR in men.
• FEV(1)/FVC ratio correlated with WMHs in both sexes.
• Pulmonary function predicted VBR and was linked to processing speed and fine motor dexterity.

Conclusions:

• Decreased lung function is associated with poorer cognitive function and increased subcortical atrophy in mid-adulthood.
• Chronic respiratory disease may be linked to white matter changes in men.
• No mediating effects of structural measures, inflammation, oxidative stress, or cortisol were found.