The impact of cardiovascular risk factors on cognition in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Epidemiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Cardiovascular risk factors are linked to mortality and cognitive decline in non-Hispanic whites.
• The Hispanic health paradox suggests better cardiovascular outcomes and longevity in Hispanics, but cognitive resilience is less understood.
• Aging Hispanics face high cardiovascular risk factor prevalence and healthcare access disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function (executive functions, episodic memory) in aging Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites.
• To determine if the Hispanic health paradox extends to cognitive resilience in older adulthood.
• To compare cognitive aging trajectories between matched Hispanic and non-Hispanic white cohorts.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of cognitive function and cardiovascular risk in 87 Hispanics and 81 non-Hispanic whites aged 50-94.
• Data sourced from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.
• Participants matched on age, education, gender, cognitive status, and apolipoprotein E4 status.

Main Results:

• Hypertension was associated with poorer executive functions in Hispanics, but not non-Hispanic whites.
• Higher body mass index (obesity) was linked to impaired executive functions in Hispanics, but not non-Hispanic whites.
• Findings suggest Hispanics may be more vulnerable to cognitive executive function decline due to hypertension and obesity.

Conclusions:

• The Hispanic health paradox may not extend to cognitive aging, specifically executive functions.
• Hypertension and obesity pose greater risks to executive function in aging Hispanics than previously assumed.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive aging disparities in Hispanic populations.