Cross-Sectional Associations Between Cardiac Biomarkers, Cognitive Performance, and Structural Brain Changes Are
Marja G J Veugen1,2, Ronald M A Henry1,3,2, Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca4,2
1From the Department of Internal Medicine (M.G.J.V., R.M.A.H., M.T.S., M.J.M.v.A., C.J.H.v.d.K., S.J.S.S., A.A.K., C.D.A.S.).
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|June 30, 2018
Summary
Cardiac biomarkers like NT-proBNP and cTNT are linked to brain changes in all adults. However, poorer cognitive performance is seen only in older adults, highlighting the heart-brain axis in cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Gerontology
Background:
- N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTNT) are established markers associated with cognitive performance.
- The association between these cardiac biomarkers and cognitive function, as well as structural brain changes, in individuals under 60 years of age remains unclear.
- Investigating age as a modifier is crucial for understanding the continuous nature of the heart-brain axis in cognitive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if age modifies the associations between NT-proBNP, cTNT, cognitive performance, and structural brain changes.
- To examine cognitive domains including memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning.
- To assess structural brain changes such as grey matter (GM) and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 3011 individuals (mean age 60±8 years).
- Biomarker assessment (NT-proBNP, cTNT) and comprehensive cognitive testing.
- Neuroimaging to quantify grey matter, white matter, and white matter hyperintensities.
- Regression analyses adjusted for educational, cardiovascular, and lifestyle factors, with interaction terms for age (<60 vs. ≥60 years).
Main Results:
- In individuals ≥60 years, higher NT-proBNP was associated with poorer memory, information processing speed, executive functioning, and smaller grey matter volume.
- In individuals ≥60 years, higher cTNT was linked to lower memory, slower information processing speed, smaller grey matter volume, and greater white matter hyperintensities.
- In individuals <60 years, NT-proBNP and cTNT were not associated with cognitive performance but were associated with structural brain changes (smaller GM and greater WMH for NT-proBNP; greater WMH for cTNT).
Conclusions:
- Cardiac injury biomarkers are continuously associated with structural brain changes across all adult age groups.
- Poorer cognitive performance related to these biomarkers is evident only in older individuals (≥60 years).
- These findings underscore the continuous impact of the heart-brain axis on cognitive impairment development throughout adulthood.
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