Association of aortic stiffness with cognitive decline: Whitehall II longitudinal cohort study.

Aortic stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease and mortality and may increase risk of dementia. The aim of the present study is to examine the association between arterial stiffness and cognitive decline in a large prospective cohort study with three repeated cognitive assessment over 7 years of follow-up. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured among 4,300 participants (mean±standard deviation age 65.1±5.2 years) in 2007-09 and categorized based on the tertiles: (lowest third: 8.91 m/s). A battery of cognitive tests was administered to assess cognitive function in 2007-09, 2012-13, and 2015-16. Standardized global cognitive score (mean=0, SD=1) in highest third versus lowest third of PWV category was lower at baseline (-0.12, 95% CI -0.18, -0.06). Accelerated 7-year cognitive decline was observed among individuals with the highest PWV [difference in 7-year cognitive change for highest third vs. lowest third PWV: -0.06, 95% CI -0.11, -0.01, P