title: Aortic elastic properties and cognitive function in elderly individuals: the Ikaria Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between aortic elastic properties and cognitive function in elderly individuals, permanent inhabitants of Ikaria Island.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 535 individuals (75 ± 6 years, 53% males) aortic distensibility (AoD) was non-invasively calculated from the aortic diameters measured with echocardiography and brachial artery pressure using the formula by Stefanadis et al.; cognitive status was evaluated using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  88% of the elders had normal values of MMSE score (i.e., ≥ 24). Elders who achieved MMSE score ≥ 24 had higher values of AoD (1.90 ± 2.06 vs. 1.08 ± 1.42, p < 0.001), as well as were more physically active (85% vs. 69%, p = 0.05), had higher educational status (8.5 ± 2.8 years vs. 6 ± 2 years, p = 0.001), higher creatinine clearance levels (70 ± 21 vs. 63 ± 23, p = 0.05) and lower pulse pressure (PP) values (63 ± 16 vs. 68 ± 18, p = 0.06), as compared with those individuals with MMSE < 24. Logistic regression analysis showed that for every unit increase in AoD there was a 25% higher likelihood of having MMSE ≥ 24 (OR per 1000 × mmHg(-1) = 1.25, 95%CI 0.99-1.58), after adjustments for age, gender, current smoking, cardiovascular disease, creatinine clearance, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, physical activity status and education status. Furthermore having PP levels in the upper tertile (> 70 mmHg), increases by 55% the likelihood of having MMSE < 24 (OR for above 70 mmHg = 0.45, 95%CI 0.22, 0.92), after the same adjustments were made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arterial aging seems to affect cognitive function; a finding that states a novel research hypothesis about the pathophysiological mechanisms of mental functioning.
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: chrysohoou@usa.net.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chrysohoou
authors.affiliation: Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Psaltopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Demosthenes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panagiotakos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitsavos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lazaros
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skoumas
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evagellos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Emanouel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poulidakis
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Striggou
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004522:Educational Status; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking; D018924:Vascular Capacitance / Q000502:physiology; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine