Body Mass Index, White Matter Hyperintensities, and Cognitive Performance in American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies report that obesity can be a risk and a protective factor for cognitive health. However, they have not examined whether white matter hyperintensities (WMH) mediate the association between mid- or late-life body mass index (BMI) and late-life cognitive performance. We examined this question in American Indians, a population underrepresented in neuropsychological research.

Method

We used longitudinal data from the cerebrovascular disease and its consequences in American Indians (n = 817), with BMI data collected at midlife (1989-91) and lat-life (2010-13). Cognitive data were collected in late life, with tests for general cognition, processing speed, verbal fluency, and memory. Neuroradiologist-scored WMH severity and volume using standard analysis

SUBMITTER: Zamora-Kapoor A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10090226 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature