Is early age-related maculopathy related to cognitive function? The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.
OBJECTIVE
Age-related maculopathy (ARM) and cognitive impairment are both neurodegenerative disorders associated with aging and have been hypothesized to share common pathogenic pathways. We describe the association between cognitive function and ARM in middle-aged persons.


METHODS
Population-based, cross-sectional study involving participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, an ongoing cardiovascular investigation of persons 51 to 70 years of age, examined every 3 years between 1987 to 1998.


METHODS
At visit three (1993-1995), retinal photographs were obtained and evaluated for ARM using a modification of the Wisconsin ARM Grading System. Cognitive function was assessed using standardized tests (Delayed Word Recall, Digit Symbol, and Word Fluency) at visits two (1990-1992) and four (1996-1998) and averaged for analysis. Severe cognitive impairment was defined as scores falling in the lowest 10th percentile of the population.


RESULTS
Data were available in 9286 persons after exclusion of persons with stroke or using antipsychotic medication. After adjusting for age, gender, race, education, diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, persons with severe cognitive impairment based on Word Fluency Test scores were more likely to have early ARM (odds ratio [OR]: 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-2.2) and its components, soft drusen (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and pigmentary abnormality (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 0.9-2.5) than those without severe impairment. However, severe cognitive impairment in scores of the other two cognitive function tests was not associated with ARM.


CONCLUSIONS
These population-based data suggest a weak association between cognitive function and early ARM in middle-aged persons.
Wong
Tien Yin
TY
Singapore Eye Research Institute & Department of Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore, Singapore. ophwty@nus.edu.sg
Klein
Ronald
R
Nieto
F Javier
FJ
Moraes
Suzana A D
SA
Mosley
Thomas H
TH
Couper
David J
DJ
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Boland
Lori L
LL
Hubbard
Larry D
LD
Sharrett
A Richey
AR
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology