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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Poor R-wave progression associates with cerebral amyloid deposition: A potential link between heart and brain
Stephen J Sozio1, Aditya Sahai2, Mohammad Khalafi3
1Department of Radiology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Electrocardiogram (EKG) findings like poor R-wave progression (PRWP) and sinus bradycardia are linked to brain amyloid and tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This suggests a potential connection between cardiac and brain changes in AD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid deposition in the brain.
- Cardiac amyloidosis involves abnormal amyloid accumulation, suggesting shared proteinopathy mechanisms.
- Investigating links between brain and cardiac pathology in AD is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if brain amyloidosis detected by PET imaging correlates with EKG findings indicative of cardiac involvement in AD pathology.
- To explore the association between specific EKG abnormalities and brain amyloid and tau deposition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 191 participants who underwent amyloid PET imaging and EKG within one year.
- Assessment of EKG abnormalities (e.g., poor R-wave progression (PRWP), sinus bradycardia) for association with brain amyloid deposition (Centiloids).
- Evaluation of EKG abnormalities in relation to 18F-MK6240 tau PET deposition in a subset of 164 participants.
Main Results:
- PRWP showed a significant association with greater brain amyloid deposition (p < 0.001) and worse cognitive function (p = 0.027).
- Sinus bradycardia was linked to a higher likelihood of cortical tau deposition (p = 0.009).
- PRWP also showed a trend towards increased cortical tau deposition (p = 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Poor R-wave progression (PRWP) and sinus bradycardia are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain pathology.
- These findings highlight a potential link between cardiac electrophysiologic abnormalities and AD-related brain changes or cardiac dysfunction.
- Further research is warranted to understand the implications of these cardiac findings in AD.
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