Cognition and vascular risk factors: an epidemiological study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia) are linked to cognitive decline.
• Early detection of cognitive impairment is essential for timely intervention.
• The effectiveness of different cognitive screening tools requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of vascular risk factors on cognition in a diverse adult population.
• To compare the efficacy of the Minimum Cognitive Examination (MCE) with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in identifying cognitive decline.
• To emphasize the importance of early cognitive assessment across all age groups.

Main Methods:

• An epidemiological survey involving 1365 voluntary participants (≥18 years old).
• Assessment of vascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and dyslipidemia.
• Cognitive function evaluated using both the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Minimum Cognitive Examination (MCE).

Main Results:

• The Minimum Cognitive Examination (MCE) identified more individuals with cognitive decline than the MMSE.
• 14.5% of participants scored ≤24 on the MMSE, indicating potential cognitive impairment.
• Dys-executive function was observed in 34.6% and memory impairment in 45.8% of participants.
• Dyslipidemia was the only studied vascular risk factor not significantly associated with cognitive impairment.

Conclusions:

• The MCE is a more sensitive tool for detecting cognitive decline compared to the MMSE.
• Vascular risk factors, excluding dyslipidemia, are significantly associated with cognitive impairment.
• Early cognitive screening in all age groups is vital for the prevention or delay of dementia onset.