Cognitive function is associated with impaired heart rate variability in ageing adults: the Irish longitudinal study on ageing wave one results

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the independent association between heart rate variability (HRV) and cognitive performance, in a nationally representative population study of older adults. MethodsCross--sectional analysis of wave 1 data from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing (TILDA) was performed. A subset of 4,763 participants who underwent ECG recording during resting and paced breathing periods were used for the analysis. HRV indices were divided into quintiles for comparison of values and cognitive performance was defined using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) score. Multivariate linear regression was used to model the association between cognition and different quintiles of each HRV index, after adjustment for covariates. ResultsThe mean age was 61.7 ± 8.3 years and 2,618 (55 %) were female. Lower quintiles of SDNN (P = 0.01--paced), LF (P = 0.001--paced), and LF:HF ratio (P = 0.049--paced) were significantly associated with lower MOCA scores (during both recording periods), independent of confounders. Sub--domains of MOCA responsible for the relationship were predominantly memory recall and language. InterpretationReduced HRV is significantly associated with lower cognitive performance at a population level in people aged 50 and older. This further strengthens the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and cognitive disorders.

Meditation and Cognitive Ageing: the Role of Mindfulness Meditation in Building Cognitive Reserve

“…Because MM practice has been demonstrated to yield a range of far transfer effects, it may offer an attractive alternative. Based on reported associations between ANS dysfunctions and cognitive performance in older adults (Frewen et al 2013), we may furthermore speculate that the brain state training component positively impacts cognitive performance by improving autonomic functioning.…”

“…Thus, future research may investigate whether different meditation practices rely more heavily on one or the other type of training and whether this balance shifts with increasing expertise. As the invested effort influences behavioural performance (Jensen et al 2012) and neural activity (Brefczynski-Lewis et al 2007) and autonomic functioning is associated with cognitive performance, particularly in older adults (Frewen et al 2013), it will be important to control such variables when considering cognitive enhancement effects of meditation.…”

“…The balancing and stress-reducing effects of MM may positively influence ageing by improving functioning of ANS ), HPA axis and immune functions (Creswell et al 2012;Epel et al 2009;Epel et al 2013;Larouche et al 2015). As all three factors have been implicated in decline of brain structure (Frewen et al 2013;Larouche et al 2015;Lupien et al 2009;McEwen and Magarinos 2001;Simen et al 2011), the brain state training of MM may also enhance neural reserve via this indirect pathway.…”

Environment as ‘Brain Training’: A review of geographical and physical environmental influences on cognitive ageing

“…Similar effects of noise on cardiovascular health and diabetes have been shown for exposure to road traffic noise (Selander et al, 2013(Selander et al, ,2009Sørensen et al, 2012). As cardiovascular health is associated with cognition (Frewen et al, 2014(Frewen et al, ,2013Yaffe et al, 2009), these studies support the hypothesis that noisy environments have a negative impact on cognitive functions. Moreover, environmental noise is associated with higher levels of stress, which negatively affect the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (Babisch, 2003;Ising and Braun, 2000).…”

Diabetes and Cognitive Impairment

“…Abrupt changes in blood pressure due to dysautonomia can further exacerbate changes in cerebral blood flow, which is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Orthostatic hypotension and blood pressure dysregulation is associated with white matter lesions on brain imaging, silent cerebral infarcts, and the accumulated brain injury predicts the likelihood and rate of future cognitive decline [77]. The association between blood pressure dysregulation, silent cerebral infarcts and cognitive decline suggests that chronic intermittent reductions in cerebral blood flow secondary to increased blood pressure fluctuations may contribute to the development of cognitive impairment.…”