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. 2013 May 15;328(1-2):51-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.02.015. Epub 2013 Mar 23.

Poorer physical fitness is associated with reduced structural brain integrity in heart failure

Michael L Alosco  1 , Adam M Brickman, Mary Beth Spitznagel, Erica Y Griffith, Atul Narkhede, Naftali Raz, Ronald Cohen, Lawrence H Sweet, Lisa H Colbert, Richard Josephson, Joel Hughes, Jim Rosneck, John Gunstad
Affiliations

Poorer physical fitness is associated with reduced structural brain integrity in heart failure

Michael L Alosco et al. J Neurol Sci. .

Abstract

Objective: Physical fitness is an important correlate of structural and functional integrity of the brain in healthy adults. In heart failure (HF) patients, poor physical fitness may contribute to cognitive dysfunction and we examined the unique contribution of physical fitness to brain structural integrity among patients with HF.

Methods: Sixty-nine HF patients performed the Modified Mini Mental State examination (3MS) and underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. All participants completed the 2-minute step test (2MST), a brief measure of physical fitness. We examined the associations between cognitive performance, physical fitness, and three indices of global brain integrity: total cortical gray matter volume, total white matter volume, and whole brain cortical thickness.

Results: Regression analyses adjusting for demographic characteristics, medical variables (e.g., left ventricular ejection fraction), and intracranial volume revealed reduced performance on the 2MST were associated with decreased gray matter volume and thinner cortex (p<.05). Follow up analyses showed that reduced gray matter volume and decreased cortical thickness were associated with poorer 3MS scores (p<.05).

Conclusions: Poor physical fitness is common in HF and associated with reduced structural brain integrity. Prospective studies are needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms for the influence of physical fitness on brain health in HF.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scatter Plot Examining the Association Between the 2MST and Total Gray Matter Volume in Heart Failure Note. This graphical depiction does not adjust for key medical and demographic variables; 2MST = 2-Minute Step Test
Figure 2
Figure 2
Scatter Plot Examining the Association Between the 2MST and Whole Brain Cortical Thickness in Heart Failure Note. This graphical depiction does not adjust for key medical and demographic variables; 2MST = 2-Minute Step Test; Meancortthick = Whole brain cortical thickness
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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