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. 2021 Sep 28;16(9):e0257815.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257815. eCollection 2021.

Sex moderations in the relationship between aortic stiffness, cognition, and cerebrovascular reactivity in healthy older adults

Dalia Sabra  1   2   3   4 , Brittany Intzandt  2   3   5   6 , Laurence Desjardins-Crepeau  2   3 , Antoine Langeard  2   3   4 , Christopher J Steele  5   7   8 , Frédérique Frouin  9 , Richard D Hoge  7   10   11 , Louis Bherer  2   3   4 , Claudine J Gauthier  2   5   12
Affiliations

Sex moderations in the relationship between aortic stiffness, cognition, and cerebrovascular reactivity in healthy older adults

Dalia Sabra et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

It is well established that sex differences exist in the manifestation of vascular diseases. Arterial stiffness (AS) has been associated with changes in cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and cognitive decline in aging. Specifically, older adults with increased AS show a decline on executive function (EF) tasks. Interestingly, the relationship between AS and CVR is more complex, where some studies show decreased CVR with increased AS, and others demonstrate preserved CVR despite higher AS. Here, we investigated the possible role of sex on these hemodynamic relationships. Acquisitions were completed in 48 older adults. Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) data were collected during a hypercapnia challenge. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) data was acquired using cine phase contrast velocity series. Cognitive function was assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and a composite score for EF was calculated using four cognitive tests from the neuropsychological battery. A moderation model test revealed that sex moderated the relationship between PWV and CVR and PWV and EF, but not between CVR and EF. Together, our results indicate that the relationships between central stiffness, cerebral hemodynamics and cognition are in part mediated by sex.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Moderation effect (PWV*SEX) on CVR.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Effect of PWV on CVR.
CVR was significantly positive in males (p = 0.0072*) and significantly negative in females (p = 0.0431).
Fig 3
Fig 3. Moderation effect (PWV*SEX) on EF.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Effect of PWV on EF: The effect of PWV on EF was significantly negative in males (B = -0.5501, SE = 0.1563, 95% CI [-0.8656, -0.2346], p = 0.0011) but not significant in females (B = -0.1022, SE = 0.1361, 95% CI [-0.3769, 0.1725], p = 0.4569).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Moderation model (CVR*SEX) on EF.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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