Daniel Bos MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Meike Willemijn Vernooij MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gabriel P. Krestin MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, General Electric Company Research grant, General Electric Company Research grant, Bayer AG Research grant, Siemens AG

Wiro Niessen PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Aad Van Der Lugt MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mohammad Arfan Ikram, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Atherosclerosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline and dementia. Calcified plaque measured with CT is a relatively novel marker of atherosclerosis. This study investigates associations between CT-measured arterial calcifications measured at four locations, with (1) cognition and (2) macro- and microstructural brain changes.

From the general population, 2437 non-demented persons (mean age 69.6 years) underwent CT of the coronary arteries, aortic arch, extracranial and intracranial carotid arteries to quantify calcification volume. Cognitive function was assessed with a neuropschycological test battery comprising the following domains: memory, executive function, information processing speed and motor speed. In a random subgroup of 844 participants brain MRI was performed to obtain measures of brain atrophy and microstructural integrity. Automated quantification of brain MRI scans yielded total brain volume, grey matter volume, white matter volume and hippocampal volume. Furthermore, microstructural integrity of white matter was quantified using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Associations between arterial calcification and cognition, brain tissue volumes and DTI-measures were assessed with linear regression, adjusted for relevant confounders.

Larger calcification load was associated with worse cognitive scores in all domains. Calcification in all vessel beds was also associated with smaller total brain volume. Specifically, coronary and aortic arch calcification were associated with smaller grey matter volume, whilst both extra- and intracranial carotid artery calcification was associated with smaller white matter volume. Calcification in all vessel beds was associated with worse microstructural integrity of white matter.

Arterial calcification load is associated with worse cognitive performance. Moreover, larger calcification load is associated with smaller brain tissue volumes and with worse white matter microstructural quality, elucidating possible mechanisms through which atherosclerosis leads to poorer cognition.

CT-assessed calcification is a novel marker of cognitive decline and possibly dementia.

Bos, D, Vernooij, M, Krestin, G, Niessen, W, Van Der Lugt, A, Ikram, M, Arterial Calcification in Relation to Cognition and Structural Brain Changes.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11005523.html