Gender differences in neuropsychological performance in individuals with atherosclerosis: impact of vascular function.
This study was conducted to assess gender differences in cognition in elderly individuals (N = 88; 38 women, 50 men) with atherosclerotic vascular disease (AVD) and to determine whether these were attributable to differences in vascular health. Assessments included neuropsychological testing and measurement of forearm vascular function using venous occlusion plethysmography. There was a significant female advantage on multiple neuropsychological tests. This gender effect was reduced somewhat but remained significant when controlling for education and vascular function. Our study suggests that gender differences in cognition persist into older age and are not primarily due to gender differences in vascular health.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Caitlin S
CS
Moore
Ivy N
IN
Miller
Renee L
RL
Andersen
Stephan
S
Arndt
William G
WG
Haynes
David J
DJ
Moser
D000109:Acetylcholine; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D014700:Verapamil
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D014700:Verapamil; D000109:Acetylcholine