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Published on: February 7, 2014

Blood pressure variability and dementia rating scale performance in older adults with cardiovascular disease

Therese Anne Keary1, John Gunstad, Athena Poppas

  • 1Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA. tamatthe@kent.edu

Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology : Official Journal of the Society for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology
|March 16, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Higher blood pressure variability, contrary to expectations, correlated with better cognitive function in older adults with cardiovascular disease. This suggests a complex relationship requiring further study.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is linked to cognitive decline and cerebrovascular issues in older adults.
  • CVD is a known risk factor for stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Mechanisms linking CVD to cognitive function remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between various blood pressure (BP) indices and cognitive function.
  • To assess cognitive performance using the Dementia Rating Scale in older adults with CVD.

Main Methods:

  • 97 non-demented older adults with CVD participated.
  • Neuropsychological assessments and a cardiovascular laboratory protocol were conducted.
  • Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to examine relationships.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive relationship was found between a specific BP variability index (SD of systolic BP / average diastolic BP) and cognitive function.
  • This association remained significant after controlling for age and education.
  • No other BP indices showed a relationship with cognitive function.

Conclusions:

  • Increased BP variability was unexpectedly associated with enhanced cognitive function.
  • The relationship between BP and cognitive function is more complex than previously thought.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate these findings.
Abstract

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