Sex moderations in the relationship between aortic stiffness, cognition, and cerebrovascular reactivity in healthy older adults

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 28;16(9):e0257815. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257815. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

It is well established that sex differences exist in the manifestation of vascular diseases. Arterial stiffness (AS) has been associated with changes in cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and cognitive decline in aging. Specifically, older adults with increased AS show a decline on executive function (EF) tasks. Interestingly, the relationship between AS and CVR is more complex, where some studies show decreased CVR with increased AS, and others demonstrate preserved CVR despite higher AS. Here, we investigated the possible role of sex on these hemodynamic relationships. Acquisitions were completed in 48 older adults. Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) data were collected during a hypercapnia challenge. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) data was acquired using cine phase contrast velocity series. Cognitive function was assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and a composite score for EF was calculated using four cognitive tests from the neuropsychological battery. A moderation model test revealed that sex moderated the relationship between PWV and CVR and PWV and EF, but not between CVR and EF. Together, our results indicate that the relationships between central stiffness, cerebral hemodynamics and cognition are in part mediated by sex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology*
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mental Status and Dementia Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Pulse Wave Analysis
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Spin Labels
  • Vascular Stiffness*

Substances

  • Spin Labels

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MOP 84378, Banting and Best Scholarship held by C.J. Gauthier) https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (Leaders Opportunity Fund 17380) https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.innovation.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cclaudine.gauthier%40concordia.ca%7C1cb2ad17e0c44e5bc34c08d9778abdcf%7C5569f185d22f4e139850ce5b1abcd2e8%7C0%7C0%7C637672261704341807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=nLB4uulWWpciRP1K%2BPD3qpnC9wBqdnGhf%2FExkdv8ktw%3D&reserved=0, the Ministère du développement économique https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.economie.gouv.qc.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cclaudine.gauthier%40concordia.ca%7C1cb2ad17e0c44e5bc34c08d9778abdcf%7C5569f185d22f4e139850ce5b1abcd2e8%7C0%7C0%7C637672261704341807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=79H%2BxN07HJ7z3cc%2FAS%2BQepAIGrQOr%2Bc5zgspX%2BAuxw4%3D&reserved=0, de l’innovation et de l’exportation (PSR-SIIRI-239), the Canadian National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (R0018142, RGPIN 2015-04665) https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nserc-crsng.gc.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cclaudine.gauthier%40concordia.ca%7C1cb2ad17e0c44e5bc34c08d9778abdcf%7C5569f185d22f4e139850ce5b1abcd2e8%7C0%7C0%7C637672261704341807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=iumKll04OogHqOHibAE1OPGUvv%2F4Oa2zxnPz7jYK7LQ%3D&reserved=0, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (New Investigator Award held by C.J. Gauthier) https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heartandstroke.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cclaudine.gauthier%40concordia.ca%7C1cb2ad17e0c44e5bc34c08d9778abdcf%7C5569f185d22f4e139850ce5b1abcd2e8%7C0%7C0%7C637672261704341807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=jQf6GRaTEQaM8i36Xc%2FnURyDutYnCqfW2RUd1AtX6us%3D&reserved=0, and the Michal and Renata Hornstein Chair in Cardiovascular Imaging (Montreal Heart Institute, held by C.J.G.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.