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Topical Area: Neuroscience/Nutrition and the Brain

Neuroscience/Nutrition and the Brain (Poster Session)

(P27-020-23) Adiposity and Cardiovascular Health in Relation to Cognitive Control

Monday, July 24, 2023
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board 323
Disclosure(s):
Christopher J. Kinder, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Cardiovascular health, particularly aerobic fitness has been shown to improve executive function across the lifespan. By contrast, poor arterial health and higher adiposity is associated with diminished cognition and increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. However, the association between adiposity and arterial health and its effect on cognitive control in adults is unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between adiposity, arterial health, and cognitive function in adults. We hypothesized that higher total body fat percentage and higher arterial stiffness (indexed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV]), would be inversely associated with inhibitory control, one of the core cognitive control functions. 

Methods: 28 adults (19–72 y, 68% female) completed a health history demographics survey. Anthropometrics were measured using a digital scale and stadiometer. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess total body fat percentage (BF%). cfPWV was captured via applanation tonometry using with the SphygmoCor® Xcel device. A modified version of the Eriksen flanker task was used to assess behavioral outcomes of attentional inhibition (i.e., reaction time and accuracy). The relationship between attentional inhibition, adiposity, and cfPWV were analyzed using linear regression modeling after adjusting for covariates (age, sex, education, and physical activity frequency). 

Results: Higher BF% was associated with longer congruent (r = 0.45, p = 0.046) and incongruent reaction time (r = 0.28, p = 0.030) on the Flanker task whilst cfPWV was positively associated with incongruent reaction time (r = 0.33, p = 0.041). Furthermore, cfPWV significantly predicted variance in congruent reaction time after adjusting for age (β = 0.307, p = 0.048) but not after adjusting for all covariates (β = 0.29, p = 0.083).

Conclusions: Higher adiposity and greater arterial stiffness were associated with poorer reaction time on an inhibitory control task. Further research is needed to understand the interactive effect of greater adiposity and arterial stiffness on cognitive function.

Funding Sources: No conflicts of interest or funding to report