title: Cardiovascular risk profile and cognitive function in young, middle-aged, and elderly subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cognitive decline occurs earlier than previously realized and is already evident at the age of 45. Because cardiovascular risk factors are established risk factors for cognitive decline in old age, we investigated whether cardiovascular risk factors are also associated with cognitive decline in young and middle-aged groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study included 3778 participants aged 35 to 82 years (mean age, 54 years) and free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Cognitive function was measured with the Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT; worst score, 0; best score, 175 points) and the Visual Association Test (VAT; worst score, 0; best score, 12 points). Overall cardiovascular risk was assessed with the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) for general cardiovascular disease (best score, -5; worst score, 33 points).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean RFFT score (SD) was 70 (26) points, median VAT score (interquartile range) was 10 (9-11) points, and mean FRS (SD) was 10 (6) points. Using linear regression analysis adjusting for educational level, RFFT was negatively associated with FRS. RFFT score decreased by 1.54 points (95% confidence interval, -1.66 to -1.44; P<0.001) per point increase in FRS. This negative association was not only limited to older age groups, but also found in the young (35-44 years). The main influencing components of the FRS were age (P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (P=0.001), and smoking (P<0.001). Similar results were found for VAT score as outcome measure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this large population-based cohort, a worse overall cardiovascular risk profile was associated with poorer cognitive function. This association was already present in young adults aged 35 to 44 years.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, The Netherlands. j.m.h.joosten@umcg.nl
authors: Hanneke
authors: H
authors: Joosten
authors: Marlise E A
authors: ME
authors: van Eersel
authors: Ron T
authors: RT
authors: Gansevoort
authors: Henk J G
authors: HJ
authors: Bilo
authors: Joris P J
authors: JP
authors: Slaets
authors: Gerbrand J
authors: GJ
authors: Izaks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: amnesia; cardiovascular disease; cross-sectional analysis; executive function; risk assessment