Association of Vascular Health With Motor and Cognitive Function in People with Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease Open Access

Solano, Sarah (Spring 2025)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/1v53jz45k?locale=en
Published

Abstract

Abstract

Association of Vascular Health with Motor and Cognitive Function in People with Prodromal

Alzheimer’s Disease

Importance: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia and is considered to be the prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), affecting approximately 22% of adults aged 65 and older. Cognitive impairment poses a significant public health challenge, particularly among older populations, which is expected to increase in the coming years. Vascular health has been shown to impact cognitive status in various populations with dementia. Less is known about vascular function’s impact on motor and motor-cognitive function, both of which greatly influence independence in people with MCI. More research is needed to gain a better understanding of the neurobiology of MCI and its connections to other systems.

Objective: To investigate the association between vascular function and cognitive, motor, and motor-cognitive function in individuals with prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), who experience MCI. As a secondary analysis, we will also explore the relationship between vascular health and demographic information.

Study Design: Exploratory Observational Study. The study included 73 participants with diagnosed prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: 54.8% Caucasian, 38.4% African American, 2.7% Hispanic/ Latino, and 4.1% Multiracial individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The mean age was 74.6 ± 7.16 years with a relatively balanced gender distribution (Male: 43.8%, Female: 56.2%).

Main Outcome and Measure: Project health questionnaire, vascular health assessments, cognitive assessments, motor assessments, motor-cognitive assessments

Results: This study included 73 participants aged 74.57 ± 7.16 years with a relatively balanced gender distribution was relatively balanced (Male: 43.8%, Female: 56.2%). Analyses revealed associations between arterial stiffness (as measured by PWV) and motor function, with a moderatenegative correlation observed between PWV and mobility and balance scores. Additionally, small but notable correlations suggest that greater arterial stiffness may be associated with minor declines in memory and executive processing. Age was strongly associated with increased arterial stiffness, and gender differences in vascular responses were observed, suggesting distinct vascular aging patterns between males and females.

Conclusion and Relevance: Analyses revealed that greater arterial stiffness, as measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), was moderately associated with poorer motor function, particularly in domains of mobility and balance. Notably, this study is among the first to demonstrate associations between vascular function and key domains of neurological performance, including motor ability and visuospatial or executive functioning. While small correlations were observed between PWV and cognitive outcomes such as memory and task switching, these findings warrant further exploration. Age-related increases in arterial stiffness were also confirmed, and sex-based differences in vascular profiles suggest possible divergence in vascular aging trajectories. These findings underscore the potential of vascular health metrics as early markers of functional decline and support the integration of vascular assessments in the study of aging and neurodegeneration.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Abstract.................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 3

Materials and Methods ............................................................................................................ 7

Participants................................................................................................................... 7

Procedures.................................................................................................................... 7

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria.................................................................................. 9

Assessments................................................................................................................. 10

Table 1: Variable Guide ............................................................................................... 13

Analysis........................................................................................................................ 17

Hypothesis/ Research Questions ................................................................................. 18

Results...................................................................................................................................... 19

Table 2: Participant Demographic Characteristics...................................................... 19

Table 3: Participant Clinical Characteristics................................................................ 20

Table 4: Pearson’s r Correlations Between Vascular and Cognitive Function

Variables....................................................................................................................... 22

Table 5: Pearson’s r Correlations Between Vascular and Motor Function

Variables....................................................................................................................... 25

Table 6: Pearson’s r Correlations Between Vascular and Motor-Cognitive

Function Variables........................................................................................................ 27

Table 7: Multivariate Regression Model Coefficients for the Effect of Age

and Gender on Vascular Variables................................................................................ 28

Table 8: Multivariate Regression Model Coefficient for the Effect of VascularVariables and Motor-Cognitive, Motor, and Cognitive Function Adjusted For Age,

Gender, and Ethnic Background ................................................................................. 30

Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 31

Limitations .................................................................................................................. 35

Suggestions for Future Research................................................................................. 36

Conclusions............................................................................................................................. 36

References............................................................................................................................... 37

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement
  • Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.
School
Department
Degree
Submission
Language
  • English
Research Field
Keyword
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor
Committee Members
Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Actions
Association of Vascular Health With Motor and Cognitive Function in People with Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease () 2025-04-12 18:07:57 -0400

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Actions