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P1‐191: Automated Linguistic Analysis of Patients with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Author(s) -
Korcovelos Ellen A.,
Pakhomov Serguei,
McInnes Bridget T.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.939
Subject(s) - dementia , psychology , cognition , cognitive impairment , audiology , natural language processing , computer science , cognitive psychology , medicine , disease , psychiatry , pathology
Background: Early identification of potentially modifiable risk factors for vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is important for effective preventive strategies. Endothelial dysfunction is a common feature of coronary artery disease (CAD) that may also reflect central processes. However, the association between endothelial dysfunction and early changes in cognition remains unclear. In this study, the association between endothelial dysfunction and cognitive function in CAD patients, who are at risk for VCI, was assessed before and after an exercise intervention. Methods: CAD patients were recruited at entry into a 6-month cardiac rehabilitation program (CR). Memory performance was measured at entry and at 6 months by composite Z-scores computed from the California Verbal Learning test 2 edition outcomes, which include immediate recall (16 word list over 5 learning trials), short delay free recall (16 word list after 10 minutes) and long delay free recall (16 word list after 20 minutes). Endothelial function was measured by reactive hyperemia index (RHI) via peripheral arterial tonometry. Repeated measures general linear models were used to assess differences in composite memory Z-scores between CAD patients with improvement in RHI (as defined by any increase in RHI from baseline) over 6 months compared to those with no improvement in RHI (as defined by no change or decrease in RHI from baseline) while controlling for age and obesity. Results: In 30 participants (mean 6SD age1⁄46667 years, 83% male, total years of education1⁄41664 years), there was a significant difference in mean change in RHI (F1,291⁄425.44, p<0.005) between those that improved (0.4660.45, n1⁄418) and those that did not improve (-0.5560.66, n1⁄412). There was a significant improvement in memory performance in CAD patients with improved RHI compared to those that did not improve in RHI over 6 months (F1,261⁄410.88, p1⁄40.003).Conclusions: Improved endothelial function is one mechanism by which exercise may contribute to preservation of cognitive function in CAD patients undertaking CR.