title: Vascular factors and multiple measures of early brain health: CARDIA brain MRI study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify early changes in brain structure and function that are associated with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional brain Magnetic Resonance I (MRI) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community based cohort in three U.S. sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Caucasian and African-American sub-sample (n= 680; mean age 50.3 yrs) attending the 25 year follow-up exam of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  3T brain MR images processed for quantitative estimates of: total brain (TBV) and abnormal white matter (AWM) volume; white matter fractional anisotropy (WM-FA); and gray matter cerebral blood flow (GM-CBF). Total intracranial volume is TBV plus cerebral spinal fluid (TICV). A Global Cognitive Function (GCF) score was derived from tests of speed, memory and executive function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusting for TICV and demographic factors, current smoking was significantly associated with lower GM-CBF and TBV, and more AWM (all <0.05); SA with lower GM-CBF, WM-FA and TBV (p=0.01); increasing BMI with decreasing GM-CBF (p<0003); hypertension with lower GM-CBF, WM-FA, and TBV and higher AWM (all <0.05); and diabetes with lower TBV (p=0.007). The GCS was lower as TBV decreased, AWM increased, and WM-FA (all p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In middle age adults, CVRF are associated with brain health, reflected in MRI measures of structure and perfusion, and cognitive functioning. These findings suggest markers of mid-life cardiovascular and brain health should be considered as indication for early intervention and future risk of late-life cerebrovascular disease and dementia.
authors: Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
authors: Lenore J
authors: LJ
authors: Launer
authors: University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, United States of America.
authors: Cora E
authors: CE
authors: Lewis
authors: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America.
authors: Pamela J
authors: PJ
authors: Schreiner
authors: Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States of America.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Sidney
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
authors: Harsha
authors: H
authors: Battapady
authors: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America.
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Jacobs
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America.
authors: Kelvin O
authors: KO
authors: Lim
authors: Department of Radiology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: D'Esposito
authors: Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Zhang
authors: Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.
authors: Jared
authors: J
authors: Reis
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Davatzikos
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
authors: R Nick
authors: RN
authors: Bryan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003071:Cognition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult