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Updated: Oct 15, 2025
06:08
Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Published on: February 7, 2014
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Elevated Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Relates to Longitudinal Gray and White Matter Changes.
Corey W Bown1, Omair A Khan1,2, Elizabeth E Moore1
1Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer's Center (C.W.B., O.A.K., E.E.M., D.L., K.R.P., F.E.C., L.T.D., K.A.G., B.A.L., T.J.H., A.L.J.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|October 28, 2021
Summary
Higher aortic stiffness, measured by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), is linked to accelerated brain aging in older adults. This arterial stiffening correlates with reduced gray matter volume and increased white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) over time.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Cardiovascular Health
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aortic stiffness, a marker of cardiovascular health, may impact brain structure and function over time.
- Understanding the relationship between aortic stiffness and brain changes is crucial for identifying risks associated with cognitive decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between baseline aortic stiffness (aortic pulse wave velocity, PWV) and longitudinal changes in cerebral gray and white matter volumes in older adults.
- To determine if arterial stiffening predicts neurodegenerative changes.
Main Methods:
- Cardiac and brain MRI were used to measure aortic PWV, gray matter volume, and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) over a 7-year period.
- Mixed-effects regression models analyzed the relationship between baseline aortic PWV and longitudinal brain changes, adjusting for multiple covariates.
Main Results:
- Higher baseline aortic PWV was associated with a greater decrease in hippocampal and occipital gray matter volume over time.
- Increased aortic PWV also correlated with a greater increase in temporal lobe WMH volume over time.
Conclusions:
- Aortic stiffness is a significant predictor of accelerated brain aging, specifically impacting gray matter volume and white matter integrity.
- These findings suggest that arterial stiffening may contribute to neurodegenerative processes, particularly in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease.
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