Key result
Metabolic syndrome was associated with significantly greater white matter hyperintensity volume compared to individuals without the syndrome (1.39 ml vs 0.73 ml, p=0.034), but did not impair verbal recall.
Why the study?
In metabolic syndrome, higher white matter hyperintensity load is often reported, but relationships between specific cardiometabolic variables, white matter hyperintensity load, and cognitive performance remain uncertain.
Does metabolic syndrome alter the relationships between cardiometabolic variables, white matter hyperintensity load, and cognitive performance in older adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=164)
No
Does metabolic syndrome alter the relationships between cardiometabolic variables, white matter hyperintensity load, and cognitive performance in older adults?
Metabolic syndrome is associated with greater white matter hyperintensity volume, but its clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors alters their individual relationships with cognition, highlighting a greater reliance on cognitive reserve mechanisms like education.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Metabolic syndrome may increase WMH burden without impairing recall; leaves open whether clustering modifies cardiometabolic-cognition links via reserve.
Cardiometabolic risk factors influence white matter hyperintensity (WMH) development: in metabolic syndrome (MetS), higher WMH load is often reported but the relationships between specific cardiometabolic variables, WMH load and cognitive performance are uncertain. We investigated these in a Brazilian sample (aged 50-85) with (N = 61) and without (N = 103) MetS. Stepwise regression models identified effects of cardiometabolic and demographic variables on WMH load (from FLAIR MRI) and verbal recall performance. WMH volume was greater in MetS, but verbal recall performance was not impaired. Age showed the strongest relationship with WMH load. Across all participants, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and fasting blood glucose were also contributors, and WMH volume was negatively associated with verbal recall performance. In non-MetS, higher HbA1c, SBP, and number of MetS components were linked to poorer recall performance while higher triglyceride levels appeared to be protective. In MetS only, these relationships were absent but education exerted a strongly protective effect on recall performance. Thus, results support MetS as a construct: the clustering of cardiometabolic variables in MetS alters their individual relationships with cognition; instead, MetS is characterised by a greater reliance on cognitive reserve mechanisms. In non-MetS, strategies to control HbA1c and SBP should be prioritised as these have the largest impact on cognition.
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Alkan et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Metabolic syndrome (n=164). Metabolic syndrome vs. No metabolic syndrome was evaluated on White matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (ml) (p=0.034). Metabolic syndrome was associated with significantly greater white matter hyperintensity volume compared to individuals without the syndrome (1.39 ml vs 0.73 ml, p=0.034), but did not impair verbal recall.
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