Cardiovascular Risk Factors From Early Childhood and Cognitive Function in Young Adulthood
Henri Salo1,2, Katja Pahkala1,2,3, Harri Niinikoski2,4
1Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Insights
Cardiovascular risk factors like high body mass index and blood pressure from childhood are linked to poorer cognitive function in young adults. Early life cardiovascular health is crucial for maintaining cognitive abilities later in life.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cardiovascular health promotion in adulthood aids cognitive decline prevention.
- Data on cardiovascular risk factors from infancy to young adulthood and their impact on cognitive function are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between cardiovascular risk factors from infancy to young adulthood and cognitive function at age 26.
- To understand the long-term impact of early-life cardiovascular health on cognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal observation of participants from infancy to young adulthood within the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project.
- Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors including serum lipids, glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and obesity markers across defined developmental stages (infancy, childhood, adolescence).
- Measurement of various cognitive functions (learning, memory, processing speed, flexibility) at age 26.
Main Results:
- Higher childhood and early adolescence body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were inversely associated with cognitive flexibility and information processing.
- Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol during adolescence was linked to poorer verbal memory.
- Lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher systolic blood pressure in childhood were associated with reduced cognitive flexibility.
Conclusions:
- Adverse cardiovascular risk profiles, including unfavorable lipid profiles, high BMI, large waist circumference, and elevated blood pressure from infancy through adolescence, are associated with diminished cognitive function in young adulthood.
- Early life cardiovascular health plays a significant role in shaping long-term cognitive outcomes.
- Findings highlight the importance of early and continuous cardiovascular health promotion for preserving cognitive function.
Objective:
Cardiovascular health promotion in adulthood is crucial for early prevention of cognitive decline, but prior data on the role of promotion starting from infancy are scarce. We studied the associations between cardiovascular risk factors from infancy to young adulthood and young adulthood cognitive function.
Methods:
Participants from the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project were observed from infancy to young adulthood on cardiovascular risk factors including serum lipids, glucose metabolism markers, blood pressure, and obesity markers. Exposure in early childhood (age 7 months to 5 years), childhood (6-10 years), early adolescence (11-15 years), and adolescence (16-20 years) were defined. Learning and memory, verbal memory, working memory, reaction time, information processing, and cognitive flexibility were measured at age 26 years.
Results:
Higher childhood and early adolescence body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference associated inversely with cognitive flexibility (BMI: β = -0.240, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.00, P = .05; β = -0.315, 95% CI -0.57 to -0.06, P = .01; waist circumference: β = -0.260, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.01, P = .04; β = -0.257, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.01, P = .05); corresponding associations were observed between BMI and information processing (β = -0.308, 95% CI -0.53 to -0.09, P = .006; β = -0.243, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.01, P = .04). Higher adolescence and early adolescence low-density lipoprotein cholesterol associated inversely with verbal memory (β = -0.268, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.02, P = .03; β = -0.264, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.01, P = .04). Lower childhood and adolescence high-density lipoprotein cholesterol associated inversely with cognitive flexibility (β = -0.318, 95% CI -0.56 to -0.07, P = .01; β = -0.260, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.00, P = .05). Higher systolic blood pressure in childhood associated inversely with cognitive flexibility (β = -0.316, 95% CI -0.58 to -0.06, P = .02).
Conclusion:
Adverse serum lipid profile, high BMI, large waist circumference, and higher blood pressure from infancy to adolescence may associate with poorer cognitive function in young adulthood.
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