Sympathoexcitatory Responses to Isometric Handgrip Exercise Are Associated With White Matter Hyperintensities in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

ABSTRACT: Vascular dysfunction may occur prior to declines in cognitive function and accumulation of neuropathology. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) develop due to cerebral ischemia and elevated blood pressure in midlife. The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses to sympathoexcitatory stimuli and WMH burden in cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older adults. Sixty-eight adults (age = 63 ± 4y, men = 20, women = 48) participated in this study. Participants completed isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) exercise at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction until fatigue followed by a 90s period of post-exercise ischemia. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv), and end-tidal CO₂

SUBMITTER: Pearson AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9309556 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature