The effects of carotid artery stiffness on cerebral small vessel disease and cognition

Background Carotid artery stiffness is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We examined association of carotid cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers, impairment, dementia its subtypes, as well performance. Method In this case-control study, 272 subjects from a memory clinic underwent physical medical evaluation along ultrasonography, 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging detailed neuropsychological assessment. ultrasonography was conducted to assess arterial compliance (AC), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), β-index, augmentation index (AI), pulse wave velocity-β (PWV-β). Brain MRIs were graded for white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, microbleeds (CMBs). Participants classified no subtypes; Alzheimer’s (AD) vascular (VaD). Cognition assessed using NINDS–Canadian Stroke Network harmonization battery. Result Increased β-index (β = 0.73, P<0.001), Ep 0.86, PWV-β 0.83, P<0.001) independently WMH. (OR 1.42, 95%CI 1.05–1.93), 1.43, 1.05–1.94) presence lacunes. AD 1.59, 1.01-2.73) VaD 2.23, 1.04-5.94). Additionally, 2.24, 1.07–5.62). All measurements, except AI, worse performance in global cognition, visuomotor speed after adjusting age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, cardiovascular disease, smoking. These associations became attenuated but remained significant cognition CSVD markers (β-index; β -0.27, P 0.04), Ep; -0.30, 0.03), PWV-β; -0.32, 0.02). Conclusion stiffening WMH, etiologic subtypes dementia. also independent CSVD. Elevated may help identify patients at risk developing