Effects of heart rate variability and blood pressure on cognition in healthy and clinical cohorts

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Science.Australia’s aging population has heightened demand for earlier detection and prevention methods for dementia. Studies have shown that autonomic dysfunction precedes mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia (Collins et al., 2012). The present study explores the links between heart rate variability (HRV) (reflecting autonomic activity), blood pressure (BP), and cognitive function in non-clinical and clinical cohorts (depression, diabetes (type 1 and 2), and hypertension). Participants were added to an existing database (De Leon, 2009, Smith, 2010) (n=100) to produce a cumulative sample of n=297. The experimental protocol commenced with three baseline BP measurements, the Lifestyle Appraisal Questionnaire (Craig et al., 1996) and the Disease State Questionnaire (Giblin, 2013). The participant underwent two electrocardiogram recordings for HRV analysis (10 minutes of baseline and 10 minutes of a cognitive task). Two psychometric tests were then administered: the Mini-Mental State Examination (Folstein et al., 1975) and the Cognistat (Kiernan et al., 1987). Finally, three additional BP measurements completed the study protocol. Higher baseline parasympathetic activity was significantly correlated (p=