Framingham vascular age is associated with worse cognitive performance in the middle-aged and elderly. Issue 4 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Badran, Abdul; Hollocks, Matthew J.; Brookes, Rebecca L.; Morris, Robin G.; Markus, Hugh S.
• Is Part Of: Aging, neuropsychology, and cognition. Volume 26:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 531
• Page End: 540
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Age-related cognitive decline -- vascular age -- brief memory and executive test -- Framingham -- screening; Aging -- Periodicals; Cognition in old age -- Periodicals; Cognition disorders in old age -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- periodicals; Neuropsychology -- periodicals; Cognition -- periodicals; Mental Disorders -- periodicals; Gerontology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; 155.67
• DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2018.1499866
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1382-5585

Abstract

ABSTRACT: "Normal" age-related cognitive decline has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Framingham Vascular Age is age-normed cardiovascular risk which may help communicate risk to patients and identify those at relatively higher risk. We aim to assess the association between Framingham Vascular Age and cognition. 346 "healthy" participants (57±10 years) without neuropsychiatric disorders or clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease were studied. Cognition was evaluated using the Brief Memory and Executive Test and Framingham Vascular Age was calculated. The association between Framingham Vascular Age and cognitive performance was determined through General Linear Models to control for covariates. Framingham Vascular age was associated with poorer Memory and Executive Function/Processing Speed indices ( p = 0.019 and p <0.001, respectively). We conclude Framingham Vascular Age is associated with worse Executive Function/Processing Speed and Memory. Vascular Age may help identify patients at higher risk of age-related cognitive decline with implications for communicating the morbidity associated with cardiovascular risk.