Left atrial size is independently associated with cognitive function. (1st August 2013) - Alosco, Michael L.
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.