title: Association of vascular factors and amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a comprehensive approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Current evidence shows that numerous classic vascular risk factors (VRF) contribute to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but the effects of emerging VRFs are less well-known. Using a comprehensive approach, we assessed the frequency and strength of association between MCI and classic VRFs, subclinical markers of atherosclerosis (cystatin C, lipoprotein(a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and intima-media thickness) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study of consecutive MCI patients and cognitively normal controls, subjects underwent clinical and neuropsychological examinations, laboratory analyses, a carotid duplex scan, and a brain magnetic resonance imaging scan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 105 patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI): 24 with single domain amnestic MCI, 81 with multiple domain amnestic MCI, and 76 controls. Compared to controls, patients with aMCI were significantly older and had higher rates of arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and depression. They also had a larger intima-media thickness and higher load of WMHs, both periventricular (WMHpv) and subcortical (WMHsc). In the adjusted analysis, all variables except WMHsc displayed a significant association with aMCI. Body mass index exerted a protective effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest a direct association between aMCI and age, hypertension, atrial fibrillation depression, intima-media thickness, and WMHpv. Body mass index has a protective effect on this MCI subtype.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casado Naranjo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Portilla Cuenca
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duque de San Juan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfonso Falcón
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Raúl Romero
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sevilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serrano Cabrera
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen Cámara
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hijón
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romero Chala
authors.affiliation: CIBERNED. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ramírez Moreno
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D066127:White Matter / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Atherosclerosis; carotid intima-media thickness; mild cognitive impairment; vascular risk factors; white matter hyperintensities