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Adiposity and cognitive decline in the cardiovascular health study.

TitleAdiposity and cognitive decline in the cardiovascular health study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsLuchsinger, JA, Biggs, ML, Kizer, JR, Barzilay, J, Fitzpatrick, A, Newman, A, Longstreth, WT, Lopez, O, Siscovick, D, Kuller, L
JournalNeuroepidemiology
Volume40
Issue4
Pagination274-81
Date Published2013
ISSN1423-0208
KeywordsAdiposity, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Body Mass Index, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cognition Disorders, Electric Impedance, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Waist Circumference, Waist-Hip Ratio
Abstract<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Studies relating adiposity to cognition in the elderly show conflicting results, which may be explained by the choice of adiposity measures. Thus, we studied the longitudinal associations of different adiposity measures, fat mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), with cognitive performance in the Cardiovascular Health Study.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Cognitive performance was assessed with the modified Mini-Mental State Examination, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and a composite of both. We used linear mixed models to estimate rates of change in cognitive function scores associated with adiposity measured at baseline.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>The final sample was comprised of 2,681 women (57.9%) and 1,949 men (42.1%) aged 73 ± 5.2 and 73.9 ± 5.6 years, respectively. Adiposity was associated with slower cognitive decline in most analyses. Results were similar for fat mass, BMI and WC. Higher fat-free mass was also related to slower cognitive decline. Results were similar in analyses excluding persons with cancer, smokers, and persons with short follow-up, poor self-reported health, or persons with cardiovascular disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Higher adiposity and higher fat-free mass in the elderly was related to better cognitive performance. This finding was not explained by confounding by preexisting conditions.</p>
DOI10.1159/000345136
Alternate JournalNeuroepidemiology
PubMed ID23445925
PubMed Central IDPMC4044822
Grant ListN01 HC085086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085081 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
U01 HL080295 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC075150 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC015103 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085083 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
AG-15928 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R56 AG020098 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085085 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
P60 MD000206 / MD / NIMHD NIH HHS / United States
AG-20098 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P01 AG007232 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01HC55222 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85086 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
AG-027058 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085082 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085080 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC-55222 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268201200036C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-75150 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL080295 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG026413 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085084 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01HC75150 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HL-080295 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-85079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268201200036C / / PHS HHS / United States
N01-HC-85239 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
AG-023629 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85079 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC085079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG023629 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG027058 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC045133 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC035129 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R56 AG023629 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States