Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
07:30
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
2.6K
Vascular burden and cognitive function in late-life depression.
Marij Zuidersma1, Gerbrand J Izaks2, Paul Naarding3
1University Center of Psychiatry & Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
Summary
Vascular disease in older adults with depression is linked to slower processing speed, even without obvious signs of disease. Vascular risk factors also impacted interference control in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a significant concern in older adults, particularly those with clinical depression.
- Vascular factors are increasingly recognized as contributors to cognitive impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vascular risk factors, subclinical vascular disease, and manifest vascular disease with cognitive functioning in elderly individuals experiencing depression.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 378 clinically depressed older persons recruited from general practices and mental healthcare settings.
- Vascular assessment included Framingham Risk Score (FRS), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and history of cardiovascular events.
- Cognitive function was evaluated using neurocognitive tasks assessing processing speed, working memory, verbal memory, and interference control.
Main Results:
- Higher FRS was associated with poorer interference control in the overall sample.
- Lower ABI and history of cardiovascular events were linked to slower processing speed.
- In participants without manifest vascular disease, higher FRS and lower ABI were associated with slower processing speed and poorer interference control.
Conclusions:
- Vascular burden in depressed older adults is associated with reduced processing speed, irrespective of manifest vascular disease.
- Interference control was primarily linked to vascular risk factors, not subclinical or manifest vascular disease.
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