Life’s Simple 7’s Cardiovascular Health Metrics are Associated with Hispanic/Latino Neurocognitive Function: HCHS/SOL Results
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hispanics/Latinos are purportedly at increased risk for neurocognitive decline and dementias. Without dementia cures, low-cost, well-tolerated public health means for mitigating neurocognitive decline are needed. OBJECTIVE: We examined associations between neurocognition and cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics (Life's Simple 7; LS7) among diverse Hispanics/Latinos. We hypothesized that higher LS7 would be associated with healthier brain function (neurocognitive performance). METHODS: We used baseline (2008-2011) Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL; N = 9,623; ages 45-74 years) to examine neurocognition in relation to CVH LS7 scores. RESULTS: In age and sex adjusted models, a one unit LS7 score increase (range = 0-14) was associated with higher neurocognitive function on the B-SEVLT sum (0.23 [p < 0.01]; range = 3-42), B-SEVLT recall (0.12 [p < 0.01]; range = 0-15), Word Fluency (phonemic; 0.46 (p < 0.01); range = 0-49), and Digit Symbol Substitution (0.49 (p < 0.01); range = 0-83) tests, respectively. Stated differently, a change from the minimum LS7 (0) to maximum LS7 (14) score corresponded to higher scores on verbal learning (4.62) and memory (2.24), verbal fluency (7.0), and psychomotor processing speed (12). In fully adjusted models the associations were attenuated, but remained statistically significant. Incremental adjustments indicated that Latino background and, to a lesser extent, education were primary contributors to the evinced attenuations. CONCLUSIONS: We found that higher neurocognitive function was associated with better LS7 CVH metrics among middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos. Associations between neurocognitive function and LS7 were strongest among two at-risk groups for neurocognitive decline and dementia, women and Hispanics/Latinos with lower education. Public health efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality may have additional neurocognitive benefits among at-risk Hispanics/Latinos.
Source: Journal of Alzheimer s Disease
DOI: 10.3233/jad-151125
Institutions: Michigan State University, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University, University of Miami, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, San Diego State University, University of Minnesota, University of California San Diego, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Hispanic Community Health Study, Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA), G1666450717, HISPANIC COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY - FIELD CENTER, G2528054427, G2970637568, Hispanic Community Health Study, G3722034730, Hispanic Community Health Study, G5365244667, HISPANIC COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY - COORDINATING CENTER, G6075306088
OpenAlex ID: W2466017909