Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
10:08

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound

Published on: December 2, 2014

16.4K

Associations of Arterial Stiffness With Cognitive Performance, and the Role of Microvascular Dysfunction: The

Sytze P Rensma1,2, Coen D A Stehouwer1,2, Martin P J Van Boxtel3,4

  • 1From the CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases (S.P.R., C.D.A.S., A.J.H.M.H., C.G.S., A.A.K., R.M.A.H., P.C.D., S.J.P.M.E., K.D.R., M.T.S., T.T.v.S.).

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|April 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Stiffening of the aorta, not the carotid artery, is linked to poorer cognitive function. This link is partly explained by impaired microvascular function, highlighting its role in cognitive health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Cognitive impairment mechanisms are unclear, but arterial stiffness and microvascular dysfunction are implicated.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for developing interventions to maintain cognitive function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between arterial stiffness and cognitive performance.
  • To determine if microvascular dysfunction mediates the relationship between arterial stiffness and cognitive function.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of 2544 participants from The Maastricht Study.
  • Assessed aortic and carotid stiffness using pulse wave velocity and distensibility.
  • Measured microvascular dysfunction via cerebral small vessel disease, retinal vasodilation, albuminuria, and plasma biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • Higher aortic stiffness correlated with lower cognitive function, independent of risk factors.
  • Higher aortic stiffness was associated with increased microvascular dysfunction.
  • Microvascular dysfunction partially mediated the effect of aortic stiffness on cognitive function, explaining 16.2% of the association.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic stiffness, not carotid stiffness, is independently associated with worse cognitive performance.
  • Microvascular dysfunction plays a significant role in the pathway linking aortic stiffness to cognitive decline.
Keywords:
albuminuriabiomarkersmagnetic resonance imagingmicrocirculationrisk factors

More Related Videos

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy10:35

Measuring the Stiffness of Ex Vivo Mouse Aortas Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 19, 2016

11.0K
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

18.3K

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
375
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
785
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
262
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
229
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
265
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
667