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Cardiovascular Risk and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Hispanics/Latinos: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

TitleCardiovascular Risk and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Hispanics/Latinos: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).
Publication TypePublication
Year2020
AuthorsTarraf W, Kaplan R, Daviglus M, Gallo LC, Schneiderman N, Penedo FJ, Perreira KM, Lamar M, Chai A, Vásquez PM, González HM
JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
Volume73
Issue1
Pagination103-116
Date Published2020
ISSN1875-8908
KeywordsAge Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cognition Disorders, Cognitive Dysfunction, Cohort Studies, Female, Heart Disease Risk Factors, Hispanic or Latino, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Prospective Studies, Psychomotor Performance, Residence Characteristics, Sex Factors, United States
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is linked to cognitive decline and disorders (e.g., dementia). The evidence is based largely on older non-Latino White cohorts.OBJECTIVE: Examine the association between global vascular risk and cognitive function among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States.METHODS: We used data from a large sample of stroke- and cardiovascular disease-free, middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos with diverse backgrounds (n=7,650) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). We compared associations between two measures of cardiovascular risk (CVR), the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score (FCRS) and the multiethnic Global Vascular Risk Score (GVRS), and cognitive performance using measures of global and domain specific cognitive function, and tested for modification by sex and age.RESULTS: Higher FCRS and GVRS were associated with lower global cognition and higher probability of low mental status, after covariates adjustment. Both CVR indices were associated with lower performances in learning and memory, verbal fluency, and psychomotor speed. Higher GVRS presented stronger associations with lower cognitive function compared to the FCRS. Women and younger age (45-64 years) exhibited more pronounced associations between higher CVR and worse cognition, particularly so with the GVRS.DISCUSSION: CVR is also a risk for compromised cognitive function and evident in middle-age among Hispanics/Latinos. The multiethnic GVRS, tailored to specific risks based on racial/ethnic background, is feasible to use in primary care settings and can provide important insight on cognitive risk. Even modest shifts in population toward cardiovascular health in the high-risk Hispanic/Latino population can have important positive impacts on healthy cognitive aging.

DOI10.3233/JAD-190830
Alternate JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
PubMed ID31771064
PubMed Central IDPMC7412739
Grant ListP30 AG059299 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG048642 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65236 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65235 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65233 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65237 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG010129 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R56 AG048642 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65234 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
MS#: 
0658
Manuscript Lead/Corresponding Author Affiliation: 
HCHS/SOL Baseline Visit - Neurocognitive Reading Center
ECI: 
Manuscript Affiliation: 
HCHS/SOL Baseline Visit - Neurocognitive Reading Center
Manuscript Status: 
Published