Activation of Hemostasis and Decline in Cognitive Function in Older People

Stott, D.J. et al. (2010) Activation of Hemostasis and Decline in Cognitive Function in Older People. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 30(3), pp. 605-611. (doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.109.199448)

Abstract

Objective-To determine whether activation of hemostatic function (thrombosis and fibrinolysis) is associated with cognitive decline in older people. Methods and Results-We studied 5804 people (age, 70-82 years) in the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER). Mean follow-up was 3.2 years, including annual measurement of speed of information processing (letter, digit coding, and Stroop), verbal memory (picture-word naming), and basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Raised levels of markers of thrombin generation (D-dimer and prothrombin fragment 1+2) were associated independently with increased rate of cognitive decline (eg, Stroop increased by 4.44 s [SEM, 0.68] in bottom tertile of D-dimer compared to 5.46 [SEM, 0.71] in highest tertile; P<0.05) and deterioration in activities of daily living. This increased rate of decline was attenuated but not removed when subjects with incident nonfatal stroke were omitted from the analysis. It also persisted when adjustments were made for inflammation (C-reactive protein and IL-6). Conclusion-Older patients with increased markers of thrombin generation (D-dimer and prothrombin fragment 1+2) are at increased risk for cognitive decline and deterioration in ability to perform activities of daily living. This is likely attributable to increased risk of cerebral ischemic damage (including covert disease) associated with prothrombotic states. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010;30:605-611.)

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Activities Of Daily Living, Age, Aging, Alzheimers-Disease, Atherosclerosis, Atrial-Fibrillation, Blood, C-Reactive Protein, Cognition, Cognitive Decline, D-Dimer, Dementia, Disease, Dwelling Elderly Persons, Elderly, Fibrinolysis, Follow-Up, Hemostasis, Increased Risk, Inflammation, Level, Markers, Measurement, Older-People, Population, Prospective, Prosper, Protein, Risk, Stroke, Thrombosis
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robertson, Mrs Michele and Shepherd, Prof James and Rumley, Dr Ann and Lowe, Professor Gordon and Welsh, Professor Paul and Stott J, Professor David and Ford, Professor Ian and Packard, Professor Chris and Sattar, Professor Naveed
• Authors: Stott, D.J., Robertson, M., Rumley, A., Welsh, P., Sattar, N., Packard, C.J., Shepherd, J., Trompet, S., Westendorp, R.G.J., de Craen, A.J.M., Jukema, J.W., Buckley, B., Ford, I., and Lowe, G.D.O.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
• Journal Name: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
• Publisher: American Heart Association
• ISSN: 1079-5642