Microvascular Dysfunction Is Associated With Worse Cognitive Performance: The Maastricht Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vascular Biology
• Public Health

Background:

• Microvascular dysfunction is a potential contributor to cognitive decline.
• Previous research has been limited by a lack of comprehensive measures and adjustment for confounders.
• Inconsistent findings highlight the need for robust investigation into this association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between a wide range of microvascular dysfunction markers and cognitive performance.
• To assess this association in a large, population-based cohort, the Maastricht Study.
• To determine if the association remains significant after controlling for multiple potential confounders.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cross-sectional data from 3011 participants in the Maastricht Study.
• Assessed microvascular dysfunction using MRI, plasma biomarkers, albuminuria, retinal vasodilation, and skin hyperemia.
• Calculated a composite microvascular dysfunction score and cognitive function score (memory, processing speed, executive function).

Main Results:

• A higher microvascular dysfunction score was significantly associated with lower cognitive function (standardized β = -0.087).
• This association remained independent of age, education, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and other factors.
• Each standard deviation increase in the microvascular dysfunction score was equivalent to 2 years of cognitive aging.

Conclusions:

• Microvascular dysfunction is demonstrably linked to worse cognitive performance, particularly in memory and processing speed.
• The findings underscore the importance of vascular health for maintaining cognitive function.
• This study provides strong evidence for microvascular dysfunction as a key factor in cognitive impairment.