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Pleiotropic effects between cardiovascular disease risk factors and measures of cognitive and physical function in

Julia J Yudkovicz1, Ryan L Minster2, Emma Barinas-Mitchell1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Scientific Reports
|September 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease risk factors share genetic links with cognitive and physical function in older adults. These findings highlight common biological underpinnings for chronic disease and functional decline.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a primary cause of mortality in older adults, frequently coinciding with functional decline.
  • The underlying drivers of this co-occurrence, whether behavioral, environmental, or genetic, remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenotypic and shared genetic correlations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and physical and cognitive functional measures in a family-based cohort.
  • To elucidate the potential shared genetic basis contributing to the co-occurrence of CVD and functional impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Long Life Family Study (n=1,881, mean age 69.4 years) comprising families selected for exceptional longevity.
  • Assessed CVD risk factors including carotid vessel measures, obesity (BMI, waist circumference), and hypertension (blood pressure).
  • Measured physical function (gait speed, grip strength, chair stand) and cognitive function (various tests including memory and executive function) using standardized assessments.

Main Results:

  • Significant phenotypic correlations (0.05-0.22) were observed between CVD risk factors and both physical and cognitive function (P < 0.05).
  • Substantial genetic correlations (0.21-0.62) were found primarily between CVD risk factors and cognitive function (P < 0.05).
  • Obesity measures (BMI, waist circumference) showed significant genetic correlations with gait speed and chair stand time (0.29-0.53; P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular disease risk factors share significant genetic correlations with cognitive and physical function, suggesting a common underlying biological basis.
  • These findings provide critical insights into the genetic determinants of chronic diseases and their association with functional decline in aging populations.
  • The study underscores the importance of considering shared genetic influences in understanding the complex interplay between CVD and functional status.

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