title: Brain Function Is Linked to LDL Cholesterol in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Risk.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine how cardiovascular risk is associated with working memory task performance and task-related suppression of default-mode network (DMN) activity in cognitively intact older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional functional magnetic resonance imaging study of older adults with cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty older adults with cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants provided health information and a blood sample, and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a working memory task and during a breath-hold task to assess cerebrovascular reactivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was associated with poorer working memory task performance (P = 0.008) and reduced task-related DMN suppression (P = 0.005). A composite index of cardiovascular risk, the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Profile, showed no associations with task performance or task-related DMN suppression. These findings were independent of white matter burden and cerebrovascular reactivity and thus cannot be accounted for by individual differences in neurovascular health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest a deleterious effect of elevated LDL-C on working memory task performance and task-related DMN suppression in older adults with cardiovascular risk. The relations between the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Profile, cognitive task performance, and DMN function require further study.
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Liesel-Ann C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Meusel
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nicole D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Parrott
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.affiliation: Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Ekaterina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tchistiakova
authors.affiliation: Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: MacIntosh
authors.affiliation: Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Carol E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Greenwood
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D066127:White Matter / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL
keywords: Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Profile; aging; cognition; default-mode network; imaging