The Association Between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Cognitive Function: Evidence From the NHANES 2011-2014

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of cerebrovascular disease, which in turn has substantial deleterious impacts on cognitive abilities. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), calculated as the logarithmic transformation of the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (log[TG/HDL-C]), has emerged as a novel biomarker reflecting the balance between proatherogenic and antiatherogenic lipoproteins. Nevertheless, the association between AIP and cognitive function has not been examined in a large cohort. This study examined the relationship between AIP and cognitive performance in a nationally representative cohort of adult Americans.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The relationship between AIP and cognitive function was examined using several multivariate regression models with adjustment for arrays of potential confound factors. Fitted smoothed curves and threshold effect analysis were used to characterize possible nonlinear relationships.

The study population comprised 995 adults (mean age 63.01 ± 14.93 years; 51.86% female), with 49.65% identifying as non-Hispanic White, 9.15% as Mexican American, and 20.2% as non-Hispanic Black. Higher AIP was associated with greater risk of cognitive impairment. Negative correlations were detected between the AIP and both Animal Fluency Test (AFT) performance (β = -5.54, 95%CI: -9.26, -1.82, p < 0.05) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) performance (β = -15.79, 95% CI: -26.32, -5.27, p < 0.05) after adjusting for multiple confounding variables.

Elevated AIP is associated with cognitive impairment in adult Americans.