Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) and stroke, increase risk of cognitive dysfunction. Serum biomarkers, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) may be associated with elevated CVD risk and are also emerging as early indicators of cognitive dysfunction. Yet, few studies have investigated associations among all three: CVD risk, cognitive function, and serum biomarkers. Aims: We examined associations between CVD risk, cognitive function, and serum biomarkers in older women with CVD. Methods: Baseline data from an ongoing lifestyle intervention trial for the prevention of cognitive decline in older women with CVD (NCT04556305) were analyzed. Women ( N =253) aged ≥65 years were recruited from ambulatory cardiology clinics. At baseline, CVD risk factors, including blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and step test (cardiorespiratory fitness) were assessed. ASCVD and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores were calculated to estimate clinical ASCVD and stroke risk, respectively. Serum biomarkers included BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1. Neurocognitive tests for global cognition, including episodic memory, executive function, semantic memory, and working memory domains, were administered. Linear regression models adjusted for age, education, and race or ethnicity were used to evaluate associations of individual CVD risk factors, ASCVD and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores with cognitive function and serum biomarkers, separately. Results: Of CVD risk factors, waist circumference and BMI were associated with cognition: waist circumference with global cognition, episodic memory, and executive function ( β = -.14 - -.20); BMI with executive function ( β = -.13). ASCVD and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were associated with semantic memory ( β = -.23 and -.16, respectively). Only the ASCVD risk score was associated with BDNF ( β = .18) and VEGF ( β = .24) levels. Conclusion: In older women with CVD, body composition and CVD risk scores appear to be correlated with cognitive function. Future studies should explore associations prospectively and consider serum biomarkers as mediators of the relation of CVD risk to cognitive dysfunction.
Published Version
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