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Researchers at the Mayo Clinic followed 2,719 participants for four years as part of a prospective, population-based study of the relationship between cardiac disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants were evaluated at baseline and every 15 months using the Clinical Dementia Rating scale, a neurological evaluation, and neuropsychological testing. Cardiac disease at baseline was assessed from the participant's medical records. Of 1,450 participants without MCI or dementia at baseline, 366 developed MCI. Cardiac disease was associated with an increased risk of nonamnestic MCI. However, the association varied by gender, with an increased risk for women but not for men.
Appearance of mild cognitive impairment is an important stage for early detection and intervention in dementia, said lead author Rosebud Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., a health sciences researcher at Mayo Clinic. "Prevention and management of cardiac disease and vascular risk factors are likely to reduce the risk," he noted.
An abstract of the study is posted here. To read more about the relationship between cardiac disease and mental health problems, see Psychiatric News here.
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