Calcified carotid artery atheromas in individuals with cognitive dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Radiology

Background:

• Cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, affects a significant portion of the aging population.
• Carotid artery calcification is a marker of atherosclerosis and a potential indicator of cardiovascular risk.
• The relationship between cognitive decline and cerebrovascular calcification requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if individuals with cognitive impairment have a greater burden of calcified carotid artery atheroma (CCAA) compared to cognitively healthy individuals.
• To explore the association between cognitive status and the presence of CCAA.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 154 patients with cognitive impairment (Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, subjective cognitive decline) and 76 healthy controls.
• Panoramic radiographs were analyzed by oral and maxillofacial radiologists for the presence and laterality of CCAA.
• Clinical oral examinations were also conducted.

Main Results:

• Calcified carotid artery atheroma (CCAA) was prevalent (40%) in the studied middle-aged and older Swedish population.
• No statistically significant difference in CCAA prevalence was observed between the cognitively impaired group (40%) and the control group (42%).

Conclusions:

• Cognitively impaired patients do not exhibit a higher burden of calcified carotid artery atheroma compared to their cognitively healthy matched controls.
• The findings suggest that CCAA may not be a distinguishing factor for cognitive impairment in this population.