Impact of Arterial Stiffness and Insulin Resistance on Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Elderly People

Background: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of arterial stiffness and insulin resistance on cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly people. Methods and Results: Cognitive function and arterial stiffness were assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and measurement of the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), respectively. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated for each subject. The cross-sectional association of the MMSE score, baPWV and HOMA-IR was studied in 172 subjects (87 men, 85 women). The baPWV was significantly increased in the impaired MMSE group (MMSE score ＜26, n=97) than in the normal MMSE group (MMSE score ＞or=26, n=75) (1843.97±456.55 vs 1727.48±363.96 cm/s, P ＜0.05). In multiple regression analysis, HOMA-IR and baPWV level were independently and significantly associated with the MMSE score. Conclusion: In elderly people, arterial stiffness and insulin resistance are strong predictor of cognitive function independent of age, sex, amount of education and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings suggest that measures of insulin resistance and arterial stiffness, such as baPWV, may be used as a clinical marker for predicting cognitive decline in older individuals.ope