Association of Heart Rate Variability With Cognitive Performance: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Year: 2020
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with vascular risk factors for dementia, but whether HRV is associated with specific domains of cognitive performance is unclear. Methods and Results In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (N=3018; mean age 59.3±9.2 years), we assessed the relationship of 10-second HRV to scores on tests of global cognitive performance (Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument), processing speed (Digit Symbol Coding), and working memory (Digit Span). HRV was computed as the SD of normal-normal intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) at Exam 1 (2000-2002) and Exam 5 (2010-2012). Cognitive tests were administered at Exam 5. We report regression coefficients (β [95% CI]) representing cognitive test score change per 2-fold increase in HRV. After adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, sex, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, and cardiovascular risk factors and incident disease, higher Exam 1 (β=0.37 [0.06, 0.67]) and Exam 5 (β=0.31 [0.04, 0.59]) SDNN were associated with better Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument performance. Higher Exam 1 (β=0.80 [0.17, 1.43]) and Exam 5 (β=0.63 [0.06, 1.20]) SDNN, and Exam 5 RMSSD (β=0.54 [0.01, 1.08]) were associated with better Digit Symbol Coding performance. Finally, higher Exam 5 SDNN was associated with better Digit Span performance (β=0.17 [0.01, 0.33]). Associations were attenuated after adjustment for resting heart rate. Conclusions Higher HRV is generally associated with better cognitive performance in this multi-ethnic cohort of aging adults, and further study of the relationship of autonomic function to cognition is warranted.
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,750
Awards: MESA, G1409423729, G1686417863, Wake Forest Clinical and Translational Science Award, Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Core Center, G2262782284, MESA, MESA, SUBCLINICAL CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE STUDY--EBCT READING, G3647016462, G3687594596, MESA, G399481048, TITLE: MULTI-ETHNIC STUDY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS (MESA), G4512137732, OPTION 3. 4/1/2014 - 3/31/2015. MULTI-ETHNIC STUDY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS (MESA) - READING CENTER, NHLBI, MESA, Heart Rate Variability, Cognitive Performance, and Alzheimer Disease-related Pathology in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, G5108002584, SUBCLINICAL CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE STUDY-ULTRASOUND, G5787256936, G6095866717, Heart Rate Variability as a Predictor of Cognitive Performance in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, G6359107525, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, MESA, G6514094751, MESA, Clinical and Translational Science Award, CVD Epidemiology Training Program, Subclinical Vascular Contributions to Alzheimer's Disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Multisite Study of AD (Renewal)
OpenAlex ID: W3012881401