Key result
Higher estimated pulse wave velocity is linked to ~39% higher Alzheimer disease risk per 1 m/s.
Why the study?
Arterial stiffness may contribute to Alzheimer disease pathogenesis, yet the longitudinal association of estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV), a noninvasive marker of arterial stiffness, with Alzheimer disease remained unclear.
Is elevated estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) associated with an increased risk of incident Alzheimer disease in adults aged 45 years or older?
Cohort (n=14,602)
Yes
Is elevated estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) associated with an increased risk of incident Alzheimer disease in adults aged 45 years or older?
Hazard Ratio: 1.39
Elevated estimated pulse wave velocity, a noninvasive marker of arterial stiffness, is independently associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer disease in middle-aged and older adults.
May flag higher Alzheimer disease risk; extends arterial stiffness links but leaves open clinical utility pending trials.
Background: Arterial stiffness may contribute to Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis. Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) is a noninvasive marker of arterial stiffness, yet its longitudinal association with AD remains unclear. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 14,602 participants aged 45 years or older without baseline AD from HRS (2010 to 2020) and ELSA (2004 to 2018). ePWV was calculated using the Greve formula. Cox models estimated HRs for AD per 1 m/s increase in ePWV, with sequential adjustments. Restricted cubic splines examined dose-response relationships. Results: Over median follow-ups of 8.2 years (HRS) and 10.2 years (ELSA), 203 and 136 incident AD cases occurred. In fully adjusted models, each 1 m/s increment in ePWV was associated with 39% (HR=1.39) and 63% (HR=1.63) increased AD risk, respectively. Positive dose-response associations were observed without clear threshold effects. Subgroup analyses showed consistent results across most strata. Conclusions: Elevated ePWV is independently associated with increased AD risk, suggesting its potential as a risk stratification tool for AD prevention.
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Ren et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Alzheimer disease (n=14,602). Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) per 1 m/s increment vs. Lower ePWV (continuous per 1 m/s increment) was evaluated on Incident Alzheimer disease (AD) (HR 1.39 (HRS); HR 1.63 (ELSA)). Each 1 m/s increment in estimated pulse wave velocity was associated with increased incident Alzheimer disease risk in HRS (HR 1.39) and ELSA (HR 1.63) cohorts.
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