INTRODUCTION
The objective of our study was to investigate cross-sectional associations of atrial fibrillation with neuroimaging measures of cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and their interactions with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
METHODS
MRI scans of individuals from a population-based study were analyzed for infarctions, total grey matter, hippocampal and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes. A subsample underwent PET imaging.
RESULTS
Atrial fibrillation was associated with infarctions and lower total grey matter volume. Compared to subjects with no atrial fibrillation and no infarction, the odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) for MCI was 2.99 (1.57, 5.70; p = 0.001) among participants with atrial fibrillation and infarction, 0.90 (0.45, 1.80; p= 0.77) for atrial fibrillation and no infarction, and 1.50 (0.96, 2.34; p= 0.08) for no atrial fibrillation and any infarction.
DISCUSSION
Participants with both atrial fibrillation and infarction are more likely to have MCI than participants with either infarction or atrial fibrillation alone.