Key result
Higher ECG QT dispersion correlates with lower global cognition in healthy inactive older adults.
Why the study?
QTcD is elevated in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, but whether it is associated with cognitive performance in healthy individuals was unknown.
Does higher ECG QT dispersion correlate with lower cognitive performance in healthy older adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=63)
Does higher ECG QT dispersion correlate with lower cognitive performance in healthy older adults?
Effect estimate: β = -0.36
p-value: p=0.005
Higher ECG QT dispersion is associated with lower global and executive cognitive performance in healthy, inactive older adults, suggesting a link between autonomic heart regulation and cognitive aging.
QT dispersion may signal cognitive vulnerability in inactive older adults; leaves open its value as an autonomic marker pending longitudinal studies.
BACKGROUND: Autonomic function has been linked to cognitive abilities in aging. Even in non-clinical states, a certain variability in heart rhythm regulation can be measured with QT dispersion (QTcD), an ECG marker of ventricular repolarization which has been linked to autonomic function and cardiovascular health. QTcD has been shown to be higher in individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and the highest in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this study was to see if QTcD is associated with cognitive performance in healthy individuals. METHODS: Sixty-three healthy inactive older adults (> 60 years) completed an extensive cognitive assessment (including inhibition, divided attention, updating, working memory, and processing speed), a physical fitness assessment, and underwent a resting ECG. RESULTS: = 0.47). No significant associations were found within the low QTcD group. CONCLUSION: This study shows an association between ventricular repolarization (QTcD) and cognitive performance, in particular speed and executive functions, in healthy older adults. The results provide further support for linking autonomic heart regulation and age-related cognitive changes, and suggest that deviations on ECG, even within-normal range, could help detect early cognitive deficits.
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Vrinceanu et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy older adults (n=63). QT dispersion (QTcD) was evaluated on Global cognition (MoCA) score (β = -0.36, p=0.005). Higher ECG QT dispersion significantly predicted lower global cognition scores (β = -0.36) in healthy inactive older adults.
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