Key result
Midlife cardiovascular risk factors linked to higher late-life dementia risk, potentially via nitric oxide signaling.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we summarise the evidence on the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive impairment and explore the role of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway as a causal mechanism. RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that the presence of CVD and its risk factors in midlife is associated with an increased risk of later life cognitive impairment and dementia. It is unclear what is driving this association but risk may be conveyed via an increase in neurodegeneration (e.g. amyloid deposition), vascular changes (e.g. small vessel disease) and mechanistically due to increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation as well as changes in NO bioavailability. CVDs and dementia are major challenges to global health worldwide. The NO pathway may be a promising biological candidate for future studies focused on reducing not only CVD but also risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
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Stephan et al. (2017) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Cardiovascular disease was evaluated. Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in midlife are associated with an increased risk of later life cognitive impairment and dementia, potentially mediated by the nitric oxide pathway.
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