Distinct components of cardiovascular health are linked with age-related differences in cognitive abilities

King, Deborah L. O.; Henson, Richard N.; Kievit, Rogier A.; Wolpe, Noham; Brayne, Carol; Tyler, Lorraine K.; Rowe, James B.; Bullmore, Edward T.; Calder, Andrew C.; Cusack, Rhodri; Dalgleish, Tim; Duncan, John A.; Matthews, Fiona; Marslen–Wilson, William D.; Shafto, Meredith A.; Campbell, Karen L.; Cheung, Teresa; Davis, Simon W.; Geerligs, Linda; McCarrey, Anna C.; Mustafa, A.; Price, Darren; Samu, Dávid; Taylor, Jason R.; Treder, Matthias S.; Belle, Janna van; Williams, Nitin; Mitchell, D. N.; Fisher, Simon E.; Eising, Else; Knights, Ethan; Bates, Lauren; Emery, Tina; Erzinçlioğlu, Sharon; Gadie, Andrew; Gerbase, Sofia; Georgieva, Stanimira; Hanley, Claire; Parkin, Beth; Troy, David; Auer, Tibor; Correia, Marta; Gao, Lu; Green, Emma; Henriques, Rafael Neto; Allen, Jodie; Amery, Gillian; Amuntse, Liana; Barcroft, Anne; Castle, Amanda; Dias, Cheryl; Dowrick, Jonathan; Fair, Melissa; Fisher, Hayley; Goulding, Anna; Grewale, Adarsh; Hale, Geoff; Hilton, Andrew; Johnson, Frances L.; Johnston, Patricia; Kavanagh-Williamson, Thea; Kwaśniewska, Magdalena; McMinn, Alison M.; Norman, Kim; Penrose, Jessica; Roby, Fiona; Rowland, Diane; Sargeant, John; Squire, Maggie; Stevens, Beth; Stoddart, Aldabra; Stone, Cheryl; Thompson, Tracy; Yazlik, Ozlem; Barnes, Dan; Dixon, Marie; Hillman, Jaya; Mitchell, Joanne; Villis, Laura; Tsvetanov, Kamen A.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-27252-1

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 125 publications

(141 reference statements)

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“…Finally, we sought external validation of the HDM3 parameters. In previous work (King et al, 2023), we estimated three latent vascular factors (LVFs) from six potential measures of vascular health in the CamCAN dataset. These factors corresponded roughly to total blood pressure (LVF1), pulse pressure (LVF2) and heart rate variability (LVF3), shown to be associated to cerebrovascular health measures in the CamCAN cohort (Fuhrmann et al, 2019; Tsvetanov et al, 2021).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating models of the ageing BOLD response

Henson,

Olszowy,

Tsvetanov

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Neural activity cannot be directly observed using fMRI; rather it must be inferred from the haemodynamic responses that neural activity causes. Solving this inverse problem is made possible through the use of forward models, which generate predicted haemodynamic responses given hypothesised underlying neural activity. Commonly-used haemodynamic models were developed to explain data from healthy young participants; however studies of ageing and dementia are increasingly shifting the focus towards elderly populations. We evaluated the validity of a range of haemodynamic models across the healthy adult lifespan: from basis sets for linear convolution models (implemented in the general linear models used to analyse most fMRI studies) to nonlinear fitting of a parameterised haemodynamic response function (HRF) and nonlinear fitting of a biophysical generative model (haemodynamic modelling, HDM). Using an exceptionally large sample of participants, and a sensorimotor task optimized for detecting the shape of the HRF, we first characterised the effects of age on descriptive features of the HRF (e.g., peak amplitude and latency). We then compared these to features from more complex nonlinear models, fit to four regions of interest engaged by the task, namely left auditory cortex, bilateral visual cortex, left (contralateral) motor cortex and right (ipsilateral) motor cortex. Finally, we validated the extent to which parameter estimates from these models have predictive validity, in terms of how well they predict age in cross-validated multiple regression. We conclude that age-related differences in the HRF can be captured effectively by models with three free parameters. Furthermore, we show that biophysical models like the HDM have predictive validity comparable to more common models, while additionally providing insights into underlying mechanisms, which go beyond descriptive features like peak amplitude or latency. Here, the HDM revealed that most of the effects of age on the HRF could be explained by an increased rate of vasoactive signal decay and decreased transit rate of blood, rather than changes in neural activity per se. However, in the absence of other types of neural/haemodynamic data, unique interpretation of HDM parameters is difficult from fMRI data alone, and some brain regions in some tasks (e.g, ipsilateral motor cortex) can show responses that are more difficult to capture using current models.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating models of the ageing BOLD response

Henson,

Olszowy,

Tsvetanov

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Research suggests a positive correlation between fluid and crystallized intelligence in cognitively normal adults [ 13 , 14 ]. However, as individuals age, crystallized abilities appear to remain stable or even show improvement [ 15 ], unless cognitive impairment or dementia sets in [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The disparity between fluid and crystallized intelligence serves as a predictive factor for abnormal cognitive decline. Fluid intelligence experiences significant deterioration compared to crystallized intelligence [ 14 ], and it also leads to the development of compensatory aging theories [ 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of a Pilot App Targeting Short-Term and Prospective Memory in People Diagnosed with Dementia

Nanousi,

Kalogeraki,

Smyrnaiou

et al. 2023

Behavioral Sciences

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Background: According to the World Health Organization, people suffering from dementia exhibit a serious decline in various cognitive domains and especially in memory. Aims: This study aims to create a pilot computer app to enhance short-term memory and prospective memory in individuals with dementia using errorless learning based on their individualized needs. Methods: Fifteen dementia patients and matched controls, matched for age, sex, and education, were selected. Their daily routines were analyzed, and cognitive abilities were assessed using the MoCA test. Considering the participants’ illness severity and daily needs, the pilot app was designed to aid in remembering daily tasks (taking medication and meals), object locations, and familiar faces and names. Results: An improvement in patients’ short-term and prospective memory throughout the training sessions, but not in overall cognitive functioning was observed. A statistically significant difference between patients and healthy controls was indicated in their ability to retain information relevant to them in their short-term memory, or to remember to act in the future following schedules organized at present (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This app appears beneficial for training dementia patients and healthy individuals in addressing memory challenges. Recommendation: While the pilot app showed promise, further research with larger samples is recommended.

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“…Looking into specific cognitive functions, a large study conducted by Crichton et al revealed an association between visual-spatial memory, working memory, scanning and tracking, executive function, and cardiovascular health [ 15 ]. More generally a study by King et al found that there is an overproportioned decline in fluid relative to crystallized intelligence in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors [ 16 ]. Reduced brain perfusion and chronic low-grade inflammation due to CVD risk factors are discussed as possible pathophysiological links [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Physical Activity in the High School Curriculum on Cardiovascular Health, Cognitive and Physical Performance

Jagomast,

Mohr,

Axt

et al. 2023

JFMK

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Cardiovascular health at a young age has implications for preventing cardiovascular disease, and it is associated with improved physical and cognitive performance during the aging process. Sports are well known to prevent cardiovascular disease; however, school-based interventions have mostly been neglected. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare groups of high school students, stratified by the amount of physical activity in their high school curriculum and downtime. Comparisons concerning physical and cognitive performance and arterial stiffness were made. A total of 63 senior-year students were investigated. Arterial stiffness was assessed using the oscillometric technique with ArteriographTM detection. Three-kilometer and pendulum runs were conducted as typical training loads. Cognitive performance was evaluated via the visual and verbal memory and number connection tests. Regarding cognitive skills, extracurricular physical activity improved the number connection test in male participants (p = 0.004). For physical performance, female students with a sports-focused curriculum were faster in the 3 km run (p < 0.001). Concerning arterial stiffness, the measurements yielded a lower mean arterial pressure (p = 0.015) and aortic pulse wave velocity (p = 0.04) in male students with a sports-focused curriculum. In summary, extracurricular physical activity and enrollment in a sports-focused curriculum may be associated with lower cardiovascular risk due to lower arterial stiffness and better physical and cognitive abilities.

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Distinct components of cardiovascular health are linked with age-related differences in cognitive abilities

Cited by 5 publications

References 125 publications

Evaluating models of the ageing BOLD response

Evaluating models of the ageing BOLD response

The Development of a Pilot App Targeting Short-Term and Prospective Memory in People Diagnosed with Dementia

Effects of Physical Activity in the High School Curriculum on Cardiovascular Health, Cognitive and Physical Performance

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