Title | Atrial fibrillation and cognitive decline-the role of subclinical cerebral infarcts: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Chen LYee, Norby FL, Gottesman RF, Huxley RR, Agarwal SK, Loehr LR, Mosley T |
Secondary Authors | Alonso A |
Journal | Stroke |
Volume | 45 |
Issue | 9 |
Pagination | 2568-74 |
Date Published | 2014 Sep |
ISSN | 1524-4628 |
Keywords | Aged, Atherosclerosis, Atrial Fibrillation, Brain, Cerebral Infarction, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors |
Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The mechanism underlying the association of atrial fibrillation (AF) with cognitive decline in stroke-free individuals is unclear. We examined the association of incident AF with cognitive decline in stroke-free individuals, stratified by subclinical cerebral infarcts (SCIs) on brain MRI scans. METHODS: We analyzed data from 935 stroke-free participants (mean age±SD, 61.5±4.3 years; 62% women; and 51% black) from 1993 to 1995 through 2004 to 2006 in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, a biracial community-based prospective cohort study. Cognitive testing (including the digit symbol substitution and the word fluency tests) was performed in 1993 to 1995, 1996 to 1998, and 2004 to 2006 and brain MRI scans in 1993 to 1995 and 2004 to 2006. RESULTS: During follow-up, there were 48 incident AF events. Incident AF was associated with greater annual average rate of decline in digit symbol substitution (-0.77; 95% confidence interval, -1.55 to 0.01; P=0.054) and word fluency (-0.80; 95% confidence interval, -1.60 to -0.01; P=0.048). Among participants without SCIs on brain MRI scans, incident AF was not associated with cognitive decline. In contrast, incident AF was associated with greater annual average rate of decline in word fluency (-2.65; 95% confidence interval, -4.26 to -1.03; P=0.002) among participants with prevalent SCIs in 1993 to 1995. Among participants who developed SCIs during follow-up, incident AF was associated with a greater annual average rate of decline in digit symbol substitution (-1.51; 95% confidence interval, -3.02 to -0.01; P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The association of incident AF with cognitive decline in stroke-free individuals can be explained by the presence or development of SCIs, raising the possibility of anticoagulation as a strategy to prevent cognitive decline in AF. |
DOI | 10.1161/STROKEAHA.114.005243 |
Alternate Journal | Stroke |
PubMed ID | 25052319 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4146651 |
Grant List | HHSN268201100012C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States U01 HL096812 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100010C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100008C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100007C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100011I / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100011C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100006C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100005I / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100007I / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States R21 AG042660 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100009I / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States R21AG042660-01A1 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100005G / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100008I / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States U01 HL096902 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States RC1 HL099452 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100009C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States HHSN268201100005C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States |