Nonlinear Relations of Cardiovascular Risk Factors to Neuropsychological Function and Dementia

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and most westernized nations [1]. Cardiovascular risk factors and diseases confer substantial increase in risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke [2]. Yet, outside the context of clinical stroke, the brain is an under-recognized target organ of a spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. Although it has long been known that cardiovascular risk factors and diseases contribute to the development of vascular (previously known as multi-infarct) dementia, we now know that similar risk is conferred for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [3]. Importantly, long before clinical manifestations of stroke or dementia are apparent, cardiovascular risk factors are also known to negatively impact the brain and neurocognitive function. Evidence suggests that cardiovascular risk factors elevate risk of concurrent cognitive dysfunction, as well as accelerated cognitive aging.