Faculty Collaboration Database

Arterial stiffness and cerebral hemodynamic pulsatility during cognitive engagement in younger and older adults. Exp Gerontol 2018 Jan;101:54-62

Date

11/14/2017

Pubmed ID

29129735

DOI

10.1016/j.exger.2017.11.004

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85036531071 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   20 Citations

Abstract

UNLABELLED: This study examined central artery stiffness and hemodynamic pulsatility during cognitive engagement in younger and older adults.

METHODS: Vascular-hemodynamic measures were completed in 19 younger (age 35±1yrs) and 20 older (age 69±2yrs) adults at rest and during a Stroop task. Aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, PWV) and carotid pulse pressure (PP) were assessed using applanation tonometry. Carotid stiffness was assessed as a single-point PWV using Doppler Ultrasound. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow and flow pulsatility index (PI) were assessed using transcranial Doppler. Cognitive function was assessed as accuracy and reaction time from the Stroop task.

RESULTS: Older adults had lower accuracy scores and longer reaction times on the Stroop task compared to younger adults (p<0.05). Both age groups had similar increases in MCA mean flow during Stroop (p<0.05). There were significant increases in aortic PWV, carotid PWV, carotid PP and MCA PI during Stroop in older but not younger adults (p<0.05). Carotid PP and MCA PI assessed during Stroop were statistical mediators of the association between age group and Stroop performance metrics (accuracy and reaction time, p<0.05), while aortic and carotid PWV were indirect statistical mediators of MCA PI through carotid PP (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Older adults experience increases in large artery stiffness during cognitive engagement possibly preventing effective buffering of pulsatile hemodynamic energy entry into the cerebrovasculature. This is important as pulsatile flow during cognitive engagement, and not mean flow per se, was related to overall cognitive performance.

Author List

Heffernan KS, Augustine JA, Lefferts WK, Spartano NL, Hughes WE, Jorgensen RS, Gump BB

Author

William E. Hughes Postdoctoral Fellow in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Carotid Arteries
Cerebrovascular Circulation
Cognition
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Status and Dementia Tests
Middle Cerebral Artery
Pulsatile Flow
Pulse Wave Analysis
Reaction Time
Stroop Test
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
Vascular Stiffness