title: Prediction of cognitive function by arterial stiffness in the very elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive function is impaired in elderly subjects, so the aim of the present study was to determine the role of arterial stiffness on cognitive function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cognitive function and arterial stiffness were assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and measurement of the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV), respectively. The cross-sectional association of the MMSE score and PWV was studied in 203 subjects (87 men, 116 women), all of whom were 85 years old. Sex distribution, systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not differ between the normal (MMSE score >or=24, n=128) and impaired MMSE groups (MMSE score <24, n=75). In contrast, the PWV was significantly increased in the impaired MMSE group than in the normal MMSE group (25.0+/-0.8 vs 22.9+/-0.5 m/s, p<0.05). In multiple regression analysis, the PWV was also independently and significantly associated with the MMSE score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that cognitive function could be predicted by arterial stiffness, as assessed by the PWV, in the very old. Preventing atherosclerosis may play an important role in preserving normal cognitive function until very old age.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Science of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukuhara
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumura
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ansai
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takata
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sonoki
authors.forename: Sumio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akifusa
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wakisaka
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamasaki
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujisawa
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Tadamichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takehara
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011674:Pulse; D014655:Vascular Resistance