Distinct components of cardiovascular health are linked with age-related differences in cognitive abilities

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• Cardiovascular aging is linked to cognitive impairment.
• The specific roles of multiple cardiovascular factors in cognition are not well understood.
• Existing research often simplifies cardiovascular health or examines factors in isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how multiple cardiovascular factors, including vascular risk factors, electrocardiographic features, and blood pressure indices, contribute to cognitive function.
• To identify distinct latent vascular factors and their independent effects on cognition.
• To explore the relationship between these vascular factors and cognitive decline, particularly fluid and crystallized intelligence.

Main Methods:

• A population-based deep-phenotyping study involving 708 participants aged 18-88.
• Path analysis was used to identify latent vascular factors.
• Cognitive function was assessed using measures of crystallized and fluid intelligence.

Main Results:

• Three latent vascular factors were identified, separating autonomic nervous system response from two blood pressure components.
• These factors uniquely and additively contributed to cognitive variability.
• A latent vascular factor, primarily reflecting pulse pressure, was associated with a decline in fluid intelligence relative to crystallized intelligence, indicating cognitive decline.

Conclusions:

• Higher pulse pressure is linked to cognitive decline, particularly in older adults.
• Controlling pulse pressure may be a strategy to preserve cognitive function.
• Understanding the multifactorial nature of vascular aging is crucial for cognitive health.