title: Cardiovascular biomarkers and carotid IMT scores as predictors of cognitive function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple cardiovascular risk factors are associated with early cognitive decline. Measures of complex information processing provide one of the earliest signs of cognitive decline and appear related to arterial plaque growth. The purpose of this study was to determine how cardiovascular risk factors and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) scores are associated with cognitive function and complex information processing scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of 536 men and women attending an executive evaluation program. Measurements were made of body composition, cardiovascular status, fitness and diet, and laboratory measures, including carotid IMT. Each subject was tested with a computerized neurocognitive test battery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complex information processing (CIP), also called executive function, is independently related to carotid IMT scores (p < 0.01), as are other cardiovascular biomarkers, including aerobic capacity fiber, B12, and long-chain n-3 fatty acid intake (p < 0.01 for each). However, after controlling for carotid IMT, only IMT showed a significant relationship with CIP scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid IMT scores are the strongest independent cardiovascular biomarker for cognitive function, especially complex information processing. Greater intake of fiber, long-chain n-3 fatty acids (N3FAs), and vitamin B12, as well as measures of aerobic fitness, is associated with enhanced cognitive function, yet controlling for IMT scores diminished their association. Because decreasing CIP scores are linearly associated with cognitive decline, future randomized clinical trials that yield improvements in carotid IMT scores should also assess for changes in cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: a Masley Optimal Health Center , University of South Florida , St. Petersburg , Florida.
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Masley
authors.forename: Lucas V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Masley
authors.forename: C Thomas
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Gualtieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers