Cardiovascular Risk Factors Associated with Smaller Brain Volumes in Regions Identified as Early Predictors of Cognitive Decline

Authors

Rajiv N. Srinivasa, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Heidi C. Rossetti, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Mohit K. Gupta, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Roger N. Rosenberg, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Myron F. Weiner, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Ronald M. Peshock, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Roderick W. McColl, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Linda S. Hynan, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Richard T. Lucarelli, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.
Kevin S. King, From the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine in a large multiethnic cohort the cardiovascular and genetic risk factors associated with smaller volume in the hippocampus, precuneus, and posterior cingulate, and their association with preclinical deficits in cognitive performance in patients younger and older than 50 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved the study and all participants provided written informed consent. Eligible for this study were 1629 participants (700 men and 929 women; mean age, 50.0 years ± 10.2 [standard deviation]) drawn from the population-based Dallas Heart Study who underwent laboratory and clinical analysis in an initial baseline visit and approximately 7 years later underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging with automated volumetry and cognitive assessment with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Regression analysis showed associations between risk factors and segmental volumes, and associations between these volumes with cognitive performance in participants younger and older than 50 years. RESULTS: Lower hippocampal volume was associated with previous alcohol consumption (standardized estimate, -0.04; P = .039) and smoking (standardized estimate, -0.04; P = .048). Several risk factors correlated with lower total brain, posterior cingulate, and precuneus volumes. Higher total (standardized estimate, 0.06; P = .050), high-density lipoprotein (standardized estimate, 0.07; P = .003), and low-density lipoprotein (standardized estimate, 0.04; P = .037) cholesterol levels were associated with larger posterior cingulate volume, and higher triglyceride levels (standardized estimate, 0.06; P = .004) were associated with larger precuneus volume. Total MoCA score was associated with posterior cingulate volume (standardized estimate, 0.13; P = .001) in younger individuals and with hippocampal (standardized estimate, 0.06; P < .05) and precuneus (standardized estimate, 0.08; P < .023) volumes in older adults. CONCLUSION: Smaller volumes in specific brain regions considered to be early markers of dementia risk were associated with specific cardiovascular disease risk factors and cognitive deficits in a predominantly midlife multiethnic population-based sample. Additionally, the risk factors most associated with these brain volumes differed in participants younger and older than 50 years, as did the association between brain volume and MoCA score.

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Aged; Brain (pathology); Cardiovascular Diseases (complications); Cognition Disorders (etiology, pathology); Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods); Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Publication Title

Radiology

E-ISSN

1527-1315

Volume

278

Issue

1

First Page

198

Last Page

204

PubMed ID

26218598

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1148/radiol.2015142488

Recommended Citation

Srinivasa, Rajiv N.; Rossetti, Heidi C.; Gupta, Mohit K.; Rosenberg, Roger N.; Weiner, Myron F.; Peshock, Ronald M.; McColl, Roderick W.; Hynan, Linda S.; Lucarelli, Richard T.; and King, Kevin S., "Cardiovascular Risk Factors Associated with Smaller Brain Volumes in Regions Identified as Early Predictors of Cognitive Decline" (2016). Neuroradiology. 41.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neuroradiology/41