Abstract MP27: Changes In Cardiac Structure And Function Over 25 Years Are Associated With Lower Midlife Cognition: The Cardia Study

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with worse cognition, yet much less is known about the association of cardiac structure and function and decline over time with cognitive function, even as early as midlife. Method: We included 2256 subjects from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study (60% women, 44% black). Echocardiograms were repeated at Years 5, 25, 30 (mean age 30, 50, 55 years, respectively) to assess left ventricular (LV) mass (LVM); LV systolic function with LV ejection fraction (LVEF); LV diastolic function with left atrial volume (LAV) and early peak mitral velocity (E)/early peak mitral annular velocity (e’) ratio. Five cognitive domains were assessed at Year 30: verbal memory, verbal fluency, processing speed, executive function, and global cognition. We investigated the association of (1) 25-year change and (2) Year 25 cardiac structure and function on midlife cognition using linear regressions. Results: Over 25 years, LVM and LAV increased with mean change (SD) of 5.7 g/m 2 (21.7) and 9.6 mL/m 2 (7.4) while LVEF decreased by mean (SD) change of 1.5% (9.0). Greater 25-year increase in LVM was associated with lower global cognition, processing speed, executive function, verbal memory, and verbal fluency. Similarly, greater 25-year increase in LAV was associated with lower cognition on most cognitive domains. Adjustment for (1) demographics, education and (2) hypertension, diabetes, smoking did not notably change the results. 25-year decrease in LVEF was not associated with cognition. In addition, higher Year 25 LVM, LAV and E/e’ ratio were significantly associated with worse cognition on most cognitive domains. Conclusion: Midlife altered cardiac structure and adverse changes from early to middle adulthood are associated with lower midlife cognition. Moreover, LV diastolic but not systolic dysfunction is linked to lower cognition. Our results provide novel information linking early to midlife cardiac structure and function to cognition.