Cardiac Index Is Associated With Brain Aging
Key result
Lower cardiac index was associated with reduced total brain volume and slower information processing speed in middle-aged adults, suggesting accelerated brain aging.
Why the study?
Is cardiac index associated with preclinical brain MRI and neuropsychological markers of ischemia and Alzheimer disease in community-dwelling adults?
Population
Framingham Offspring Cohort participants free of clinical stroke, transient ischemic attack, or dementia
Comparison
Cardiac index (assessed by cardiac MRI) vs Lower vs higher cardiac index tertiles
Design
Cross-sectional, Central laboratory and experienced reviewer blinded to…
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Lower cardiac index links to preclinical brain aging markers; leaves open whether cardiac optimization could slow cognitive decline.
Structured PICO
Is cardiac index associated with preclinical brain MRI and neuropsychological markers of ischemia and Alzheimer disease in community-dwelling adults?
P
Population
Framingham Offspring Cohort participants free of clinical stroke, transient ischemic attack, or dementia (mean age 61±9 years, 54% women)
I
Intervention
Cardiac index (assessed by cardiac MRI)
C
Comparator
Lower vs higher cardiac index tertiles
O
Outcome
Brain MRI markers (total brain volume, frontal lobar volume, lateral ventricular volume, hippocampal volume, white matter hyperintensity) and neuropsychological markerssurrogate
Decreasing cardiac function, even at normal cardiac index levels, is associated with accelerated brain aging as evidenced by lower brain volumes and reduced information processing speed.
Limitations
- Multiple comparisons raising the possibility of a false-positive finding
- Predominantly white, European descent, and middle-aged to elderly sample limits generalizability
- Healthy sample bias due to exclusion of institutionalized individuals and those with clinical stroke or dementia
- Inadequate power for some neuropsychological measures and hippocampal volume
- Observational and cross-sectional design limits inferences about causality and directionality
Cite This Study
Jefferson et al. (2010) studied this question. Lower cardiac index was associated with reduced total brain volume and slower information processing speed in middle-aged adults, suggesting accelerated brain aging.