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. 2008 Oct;100(10):1193-8.
doi: 10.1016/s0027-9684(15)31474-7.

Relationships among blood pressure, triglycerides and verbal learning in African Americans

Regina C Sims  1 , Serge Madhere, Shalanda Gordon, Elijah Clark Jr, Kobi A Abayomi, Clive O Callender, Alfonso L Campbell Jr
Affiliations

Relationships among blood pressure, triglycerides and verbal learning in African Americans

Regina C Sims et al. J Natl Med Assoc. 2008 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) display poorer cognitive functioning across various cognitive domains. This finding is particularly prevalent among older adults; however, few studies examine these relationships among younger adults or among African Americans.

Purpose: The objective was to examine the relationships among 2 cardiovascular risk factors, elevated blood pressure and elevated triglycerides, and verbal learning in a community-based sample of African Americans.

Methods: Measurements of blood pressure and triglycerides were obtained in 121 African-American adults and compared to performance on 3 domains of the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II).

Results: Blood pressure was not related to CVLT-II performance. Triglyceride levels were inversely related to CVLT-II performance. Higher triglyceride levels were associated with poorer immediate, short delay and long delay recall.

Conclusions: Consistent with studies involving older participants, the current investigation shows that in a nonelderly sample of African Americans, triglyceride levels may be related to cognitive functioning. Because early detection and intervention of vascular-related cognitive impairment may have a salutary effect, future studies should include younger adults to highlight the impact of cardiovascular risk on cognition.

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