Physicians' Academy for Cardiovascular Education

Elevated markers of atherosclerosis and lower carotid distensibility associated with dementia

Association of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Other Carotid Ultrasound Features With Incident Dementia in the ARIC-NCS

Literature - Wang W, Norby FL, George KM et al. - J Am Heart Assoc. 2021 May 4;10(9):e020489. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.020489

Introduction and methods

There is a growing body of literature that suggests that atherosclerosis is associated with increased risk of dementia [1-3]. In addition, arterial stiffening may contribute to the development of cerebral small-vessel disease which could influence brain function [4,5]. This study assessed the relationship between carotid measurements (carotid intima-media thickness [cIMT], interadventitial diameter [IAD] and presence of carotid plaque) and arterial stiffness (measured as carotid distensibility) with incident dementia.

This analysis included 12 459 participants from the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study. The ARIC study is a population-based cohort with White and Black individuals from 4 communities in the US [6]. Arterial indices were measured at baseline (between 1990 and 1992) and participants were followed for a median of 24 years. Included participants in this analysis had no prevalent CV events, prevalent dementia or missing carotid measurements or missing covariate information at baseline. The mean age of included participants was 57 years at baseline, 57% were women and 23% were Black. During follow-up, dementia was ascertained either by in-person cognitive assessments at ARIC visits, by Telephone Instrument of Cognitive Status - modified telephone interviews or informant interviews, or on the basis of ICD hospitalization discharge codes or death certificate codes.

Main results

Conclusion

This analysis in a community-based cohort showed that elevated cIMT and IAD and lower carotid distensibility were associated with increased risk of incident dementia. Presence of carotid plaque was not associated with incident dementia. cIMT and carotid distensibility were independent predictors of dementia, while IAD was not. However, the authors also mention that it is possible that atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness are not truly independent risk factors for dementia. They could also be markers that reflect lifetime exposure to vascular risk factors, which are in turn linked to dementia.

References

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