Cardiovascular Predictors of Cognitive Decline in an Ageing Australian Female Sample

Miss Michele Andrews (). Cardiovascular Predictors of Cognitive Decline in an Ageing Australian Female Sample Professional Doctorate, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.

       
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Author Miss Michele Andrews
Thesis Title Cardiovascular Predictors of Cognitive Decline in an Ageing Australian Female Sample
School, Centre or Institute School of Psychology
Institution The University of Queensland
Thesis type Professional Doctorate
Supervisor Associate Professor Robert King
Total pages 127
Abstract/Summary Aim: The current study aimed to examine patterns of cognitive functioning in a sample of ageing Australian women, and to examine the effect of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and Arterial Stiffness (AS) on cognitive change over a 5 year follow-up period. Method: A sample of 493 women aged between 40 and 80 years, from the Longitudinal Ageing Women’s study were assessed at baseline and 5 years follow-up. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Wechsler Memory Scales - Third Edition, Picture Completion, Digit Symbol Coding and Symbol Search (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test - Third Edition). Metabolic Syndrome was defined according to NCEP-ATPIII guidelines and AS was measured using carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV). Reliable change methodology with a correction for practice was used to assess cognitive decline over the 5 year follow-up period. Ordinal and logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of cognitive decline over the follow-up period. Results: Cross-sectional analyses revealed an age-related decline on memory and cognitive speed measures with a greater decline in participants over 60 years old. Seventeen percent of participants met the criteria for MS at baseline. There was no difference between individuals with MS and those without MS on any of the memory measures. Participants with MS performed significantly worse on two of the cognitive speed measures yet the effect size was small. A significant inverse relationship existed between PWV and all cognitive measures at baseline. The incidence of MS at follow-up decreased, yet PWV continued to increase. Metabolic Syndrome (OR=1.13-2.91 ) and PWV (OR= 1.00-2.21) at baseline were significant independent predictors of reliable cognitive decline on a cognitive composite score. Additionally, PWV at baseline predicted reliable decline on the Working Memory Index and both MS and PWV independently predicted reliable decline on the Picture Completion subtest over the 5 year follow-up period. Conclusion: The current study indicates that individuals with MS or higher PWV are at an increased risk of cognitive decline over a 5 year period. Possible mechanisms Cardiovascular Predictors of Cognitive Decline accounting for this relationship, practical implications and limitations of the findings of the current study are discussed.
Keyword cardiovascular
Predictor
Cognitive Decline
Female
Australian

 
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Created: Mon, 12 Apr 2010, 12:56:27 EST by Miss Michele Andrews