Abstract
Background: Obesity has been related to the incidence of dementia but its impact on cognitive performance in persons without dementia is less clear. We hypothesized that mid-life obesity may modulate the impact of conventional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) on cognitive impairment. We tested this hypothesis in the community-based Framingham Offspring Study sample. Methods: At Examination cycle 4 (1988-90) of the Offspring Cohort, indices of obesity (BMI and Waist-Hip Ratio [WHR]) and baseline CVRF levels were ascertained in 1,814 men and women, aged 40-69 years. Obesity and hypertension were related to the score on each of 8 neurocognitive tests measured at Examination 8, 12 years later (1999-2002). Results: Midlife measures of central obesity (WHR in the uppermost quartile- Q4) and of hypertension (BP≥140/≥90 or use of anti-hypertensive medication) were each significantly related to poorer performance on executive function & visuomotor skills (Trails B, Visual Reproductions-Immediate and Delayed Recall). Further, the relation of hypertension to neurocognitive performance was significantly modified by WHR; hypertension was not associated with neurocognitive performance in WHR Q1-Q3, but was associated with a marked adverse performance in Q4 WHR. Neither HTN nor obesity was individually or synergistically related to verbal memory (immediate or delayed recall). Conclusions: Executive function and visuomotor skills were differentially affected by the combined presence of midlife hypertension and Q4 WHR while measures of verbal memory function were not related to these risk factors in our sample, a pattern consistent with vascular cognitive impairment. Control of mid-life elevated blood pressure and central obesity may be strategies to reduce cognitive decline with age.
Keywords: Obesity, hypertension, cognitive functioning, executive function, waist-hip ratio, mid-life risk factors, epidemiologic study
Current Alzheimer Research
Title: Relation of Obesity to Cognitive Function: Importance of Central Obesity and Synergistic Influence of Concomitant Hypertension. The Framingham Heart Study
Volume: 4 Issue: 2
Author(s): Philip A. Wolf, Alexa Beiser, Merrill F. Elias, Rhoda Au, Ramachandran S. Vasan and Sudha Seshadri
Affiliation:
Keywords: Obesity, hypertension, cognitive functioning, executive function, waist-hip ratio, mid-life risk factors, epidemiologic study
Abstract: Background: Obesity has been related to the incidence of dementia but its impact on cognitive performance in persons without dementia is less clear. We hypothesized that mid-life obesity may modulate the impact of conventional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) on cognitive impairment. We tested this hypothesis in the community-based Framingham Offspring Study sample. Methods: At Examination cycle 4 (1988-90) of the Offspring Cohort, indices of obesity (BMI and Waist-Hip Ratio [WHR]) and baseline CVRF levels were ascertained in 1,814 men and women, aged 40-69 years. Obesity and hypertension were related to the score on each of 8 neurocognitive tests measured at Examination 8, 12 years later (1999-2002). Results: Midlife measures of central obesity (WHR in the uppermost quartile- Q4) and of hypertension (BP≥140/≥90 or use of anti-hypertensive medication) were each significantly related to poorer performance on executive function & visuomotor skills (Trails B, Visual Reproductions-Immediate and Delayed Recall). Further, the relation of hypertension to neurocognitive performance was significantly modified by WHR; hypertension was not associated with neurocognitive performance in WHR Q1-Q3, but was associated with a marked adverse performance in Q4 WHR. Neither HTN nor obesity was individually or synergistically related to verbal memory (immediate or delayed recall). Conclusions: Executive function and visuomotor skills were differentially affected by the combined presence of midlife hypertension and Q4 WHR while measures of verbal memory function were not related to these risk factors in our sample, a pattern consistent with vascular cognitive impairment. Control of mid-life elevated blood pressure and central obesity may be strategies to reduce cognitive decline with age.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Wolf A. Philip, Beiser Alexa, Elias F. Merrill, Au Rhoda, Vasan S. Ramachandran and Seshadri Sudha, Relation of Obesity to Cognitive Function: Importance of Central Obesity and Synergistic Influence of Concomitant Hypertension. The Framingham Heart Study, Current Alzheimer Research 2007; 4 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720507780362263
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720507780362263 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
![](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Cell Cycle Dependent Regulation of Intracellular Calcium Concentration in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: A Potential Target for Drug Therapy
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Prediction of Degeneration of Native and Bioprosthetic Aortic Valves:Issue-Related Particularities of Diabetes Mellitus
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Do Adenosine Receptors Offer New Therapeutic Options for Diabetic Nephropathy?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Treating Cancer in Older and Oldest Old Patients
Current Pharmaceutical Design Noninvasive Monitoring of Intracranial Pressure
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Related Interstitial Lung Disease
Current Rheumatology Reviews Indoles - Gut Bacteria Metabolites of Tryptophan with Pharmacotherapeutic Potential
Current Drug Metabolism Right Heart Catheterization Through Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava, an Extremely Rare Procedure and Review of Current Literature
Current Cardiology Reviews Docking Studies for Multi-Target Drugs
Current Drug Targets The Use of Human Albumin for the Treatment of Ascites in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Item of Safety, Facts, Controversies and Perspectives
Current Drug Safety Cardiac Side Effects of Chemotherapy: State of Art and Strategies for a Correct Management
Current Vascular Pharmacology The Short and Long-Term Efficacy of Pulmonary Vein Isolation as a Sole Treatment Strategy for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Current Cardiology Reviews Sildenafil is Well Tolerated by Erectile Dysfunction Patients Taking Antihypertensive Medications, Including Those on Multidrug Regimens
Current Drug Safety Role of P-gp and HDAC2 and their Reciprocal Relationship in Uncontrolled Asthma
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Do Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Contribute to the Comorbidities of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Cardioprotective Role of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> against Isoproterenol-Induced Acute Myocardial Injury
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Role of LXR and ABCA1 in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimers Disease -Implications for a New Therapeutic Approach
Current Alzheimer Research Sleep Disordered Breathing: Alternatives to CPAP Therapy
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Modulation of Potassium Channels as a Therapeutic Approach
Current Pharmaceutical Design