National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center cerebral neuropathology and cognitive function in atrial fibrillation

Many studies have shown a relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD). The National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) brain autopsy cohort was used to explore neuropathology in AF (N = 3558) using logistic and ordinal logistic regression. AF was significantly associated with differences in CERAD neuritic plaque density (estimated difference 0.76, 95% CI = [0.63, 0.92]). Subjects with AF had higher Braak and NIA/Reagan Scores, indicating worse neuropathology in AF; this was not significant however, after multiple testing adjustment. These findings suggest that the association between AF and higher dementia risk is unlikely mediated by primary dementia-related mechanisms.