Vascular risk factors and progression of white matter hyperintensities in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

Dickie, D. A. et al. (2016) Vascular risk factors and progression of white matter hyperintensities in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Neurobiology of Aging, 42, pp. 116-123. (doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.03.011) (PMID:27143428) (PMCID:PMC4869590)

Abstract

We aimed to determine associations between multiple vascular risk factors (VRF) at ∼73 years and progression of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) from ∼73 years to ∼76 years. We calculated correlations and generalized estimating equation models of a comprehensive range of VRF at 73 years and change in WMH volume from 73 years to 76 years. Higher systolic (rho = 0.126, p = 0.009) and diastolic (rho = 0.120, p = 0.013) blood pressure at 73 years were significant predictors for greater WMH volume at 76 years in a simple correlation model. However, neither measured blood pressure nor self-reported hypertension at 73 years was significant predictors of WMH volume change in a fully adjusted model which accounted for initial WMH volume at 73 years. Lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (beta = −0.15 % intracranial, −1.80 mL; p < 0.05) and current smoking (beta = 0.43 % intracranial, 5.49 mL; p < 0.05) were the only significant VRF predictors of WMH volume change from 73 years to 76 years. A focus on smoking cessation and lipid lowering, not just antihypertensives, may lead to a reduction in WMH growth in the eighth decade of life.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by a Research into Ageing program grant (Ian J. Deary and John M. Starr) and the Age UK-funded Disconnected Mind project (Ian J. Deary, John M. Starr, and Joanna M. Wardlaw), with additional funding from the UK Medical Research Council (MR/M013111/1 and MR/K026992/1) (Ian J. Deary, John M. Starr, Joanna M. Wardlaw, and Mark E. Bastin); Scottish Funding Council through SINAPSE (Joanna M. Wardlaw).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dickie, Dr David Alexander
• Authors: Dickie, D. A., Ritchie, S. J., Cox, S. R., Sakka, E., Royle, N. A., Aribisala, B. S., Valdés Hernández, M. d. C., Maniega, S. M., Pattie, A., Corley, J., Starr, J. M., Bastin, M. E., Deary, I. J., and Wardlaw, J. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Neurobiology of Aging
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0197-4580
• ISSN (Online): 1558-1497
• Published Online: 21 March 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Neurobiology of Aging 42:116-123
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License