Left atrial size is independently associated with cognitive function. (1st August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alosco, Michael L.; Gunstad, John; Jerskey, Beth A.; Clark, Uraina S.; Hassenstab, Jason J.; Xu, Xiaomeng; Poppas, Athena; Cohen, Ronald A.; Sweet, Lawrence H.
• Is Part Of: International journal of neuroscience. Volume 123:Number 8(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 544
• Page End: 552
• Publication Date: 2013-08-01
• Subjects: left atrial diameter -- cognitive function -- cardiovascular disease -- echocardiogram -- neuroimaging -- cerebrovascular disease; Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.805
• DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2013.774396
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7454

Abstract

Abstract : Left atrial (LA) diameter is easily attainable from echocardiograph and sensitive to underlying cardiovascular disease severity, although its association with neurocognitive outcomes is not well understood. Fifty older adults (64.50 ± 9.41 years), recruited from outpatient cardiology clinics and local papers who underwent magnetic resonance imaging, were administered the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and completed psychosocial self-report measures. LA diameter was quantified using echocardiogram. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that greater LA size was independently associated with reduced performance on the following RBANS composites: language, delayed memory, and total index ( p < 0.05 for all). Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated no significant association between LA diameter and whole brain volume ( p > 0.05). The current study suggests that greater LA size is associated with cognitive dysfunction in older adults and prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and elucidate underlying mechanisms.