IMPACT OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN ADOLESCENCE, YOUNG ADULTHOOD, AND MID-LIFE ON LATE-LIFE COGNITION

Abstract

Abstract Using the Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR), we assessed cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in adolescence, young adulthood, and midlife with late-life cognition. Among 755 participants, body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, and total cholesterol were collected during Multiphasic Health Checkups (1964-1985). At STAR baseline (2018-2019; mean age=69(SD=9)), executive function (EF), verbal episodic memory (VEM), and semantic memory (SM) were measured using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales. Linear regression models associated CVRFs with cognition. Hypertension was associated with worse late-life EF (β[95% CI]:-0.14[-0.28, -0.00]) and VEM (β[95% CI]:-0.22[-0.37, -0.07]). Diabetes was associated with worse EF (β[95% CI]: -0.43[-0.83, -0.03]). In age-stratified analyses, adolescent hypertension was associated with lower late-life EF (β[95% CI]:-0.39[-0.67, -0.11]). Young adulthood hypertension (β[95% CI]:-0.29[-0.49, -0.09]) and midlife hyperlipidemia (β[95% CI]:-0.386[-0.70, -0.02]) were associated with lower VEM. These results emphasize the importance of lifecourse cardiovascular health on the aging brain among Black Americans.