Cardiovascular Disease Risk Influences Cerebrovascular Regulation in Older Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of CVD on cerebrovascular regulation at rest and during exercise. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between cerebrovascular regulation and 1) the presence of white matter lesions and 2) cognitive function. METHODS: We recruited individuals who were cognitively normal older adults. CVD risk was assessed by the Pooled Cohort atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound measured middle cerebral artery at rest and during a bout of moderate intensity exercise. We quantified white matter lesions from MRI and cognitive function outcomes included executive function, language, processing speed, and attention. SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Seventy-two participants 70.1 ± 4.7 years of age completed the study protocol. ASCVD risk score was significantly associated with both resting and exercise cerebral blood flow velocity (p<0.01). Cerebrovascular regulation parameters were not associated with white matter lesions (p>0.468). We observed a significant association between cerebrovascular regulation parameters and language processing (p=0.010) but not other cognitive domains. CONCLUSION: In cognitively normal older adults, higher ASCVD risk score was associated with blunted cerebrovascular regulation and with lower language processing performance. These results highlight the need for CVD risk management to maintain optimal brain health.