Central artery stiffness, neuropsychological function, and cerebral perfusion in sedentary and endurance-trained middle-aged adults

Takashi Tarumi, Mitzi M. Gonzales, Bennett Fallow, Nantinee Nualnim, Martha Pyron, Hirofumi Tanaka, Andreana P. Haley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

92 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: Midlife vascular disease risk is a strong risk factor for late-life dementia. Central arterial stiffness, a hallmark of vascular aging, is associated with accelerated brain aging and cognitive decline. Habitual aerobic exercise is an effective lifestyle strategy to reduce central arterial stiffness and is related to lower risk of cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE:: To determine the associations among cardiopulmonary fitness, neuropsychological function, central arterial stiffness, and cerebral perfusion in the sedentary and endurance-trained middle-aged adults. METHODS:: Twenty-six sedentary and 32 endurance-trained middle-aged adults were measured for maximal oxygen consumption, central arterial stiffness determined by aortic pulse wave velocity and carotid ultrasound, neuropsychological function, and regional cerebral blood flow assessed by MRI. RESULTS:: There were no group differences in age, sex, ethnicity, education, blood pressure, and carotid intima-media wall thickness (all Pâ̌>âŠ0.05). Neuropsychological performance and occipitoparietal perfusion were greater, and central arterial stiffness was lower in endurance-trained individuals than in sedentary individuals (all PâŠ<âŠ0.05). Greater cardiopulmonary fitness was related to better cognitive composite scores, including memory and attention-executive function (râŠ= âŠ0.28-0.40, PâŠ<âŠ0.05). Lower carotid arterial stiffness was associated with better neuropsychological outcome independent of age, sex, and education (râŠ=âŠ-0.32 to-0.35, PâŠ<âŠ0.05), and correlated with greater occipitoparietal blood flow (râŠ=âŠ-0.37 to-0.51, PâŠ<âŠ0.05). CONCLUSION:: Lower carotid artery stiffness in endurance-trained adults is associated with better neuropsychological outcome and greater occipitoparietal perfusion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2400-2409
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of hypertension
Volume31
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013

Keywords

  • cerebral blood flow
  • cognition
  • maximal aerobic capacity
  • physical exercise

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Physiology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Central artery stiffness, neuropsychological function, and cerebral perfusion in sedentary and endurance-trained middle-aged adults'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this