Ventricular repolarization is associated with cognitive function, but not with cognitive decline and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurements in older adults

Zonneveld, M. H., Noordam, R., Grond, J., Sabayan, B., Mooijaart, S. P., Macfarlane, P. W., Jukema, J. W. and Trompet, S. (2020) Ventricular repolarization is associated with cognitive function, but not with cognitive decline and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurements in older adults. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(4), e911. (doi: 10.3390/jcm9040911)

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of electrocardiogram (ECG)-based QT, QTc, JT, JTc, and QRS intervals with cognitive function and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in a cohort of older individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, but free of known arrhythmias. We studied 4627 participants (54% female, mean age 75 years) enrolled in the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER). Ten-second ECGs were conducted at baseline. Cognitive function was tested at baseline and repeated during a mean follow-up time of 3.2 years. Structural MRIs were conducted in a subgroup of 535 participants. Analyses were performed with multivariable (repeated) linear regression models and adjusted for cardiovascular risk-factors, co-morbidities, and cardiovascular drug use. At baseline, longer QT, JT, JTc—but not QTc and QRS intervals—were associated with a worse cognitive performance. Most notably, on the Stroop Test, participants performed 3.02 (95% CI 0.31; 5.73) seconds worse per standard deviation higher QT interval, independent of cardiovascular risk factors and medication use. There was no association between longer ventricular de- or repolarization and structural brain measurements. Therefore, specifically ventricular repolarization was associated with worse cognitive performance in older individuals at baseline but not during follow-up.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: older adults, cardiovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, MRI, prolonged QT interval.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macfarlane, Professor Peter

Creator Roles

Macfarlane, P. W.: Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Zonneveld, M. H., Noordam, R., Grond, J., Sabayan, B., Mooijaart, S. P., Macfarlane, P. W., Jukema, J. W., and Trompet, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2077-0383
• ISSN (Online): 2077-0383
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Clinical Medicine 9(4):e911
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence