Objective: Arterial stiffness is associated with cognitive decline and may serve as an early mark... more Objective: Arterial stiffness is associated with cognitive decline and may serve as an early marker of brain vulnerability. In search of potential early intervention targets, the present study examined the neural correlates of working memory in relation to arterial stiffness in middle-aged, cognitively healthy adults. Methods: Twenty-eight adults, ages 40- 60 years, completed a 2-Back verbal working memory task during fMRI. Arterial stiffness was measured using the - stiffness index via simultaneous ultrasound and applanation tonometry on the carotid artery. Mean task-related activation intensity was determined for 12 a priori regions of interest (ROI). Statistical analyses included partial correlations, controlling for hypertension status and antihypertensive medication. Results: Arterial stiffness was correlated negatively with task-related activation in 3 ROIs: left precentral gyrus/BA 6 (r=-0.64, p<0.001), left precentral/middle frontal gyrus (r=-0.62, p=0.001) and left supe...
Excessive adipose tissue, particularly with a centralized distribution, propagates hormonal and m... more Excessive adipose tissue, particularly with a centralized distribution, propagates hormonal and metabolic disturbance. The detrimental effects of adiposity may extend beyond the periphery and target the central nervous system, increasing vulnerability to cognitive decline. The aim of the current study was to determine how central adiposity impacts the brain at midlife by examining the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response to a challenging cognitive task. Seventy-three adults, aged 40-60 years, completed a 2-back verbal working memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Central adiposity was assessed with waist circumference. The association between waist circumference and task-related activation in a priori regions of interest was modeled using bootstrapping regression models corrected for multiple-comparisons. Larger waist circumference was associated with diminished working-memory-related BOLD response in the right superior frontal gyrus (β=-0.008, P=0.001, 9...
Objective: Arterial stiffness is associated with cognitive decline and may serve as an early mark... more Objective: Arterial stiffness is associated with cognitive decline and may serve as an early marker of brain vulnerability. In search of potential early intervention targets, the present study examined the neural correlates of working memory in relation to arterial stiffness in middle-aged, cognitively healthy adults. Methods: Twenty-eight adults, ages 40- 60 years, completed a 2-Back verbal working memory task during fMRI. Arterial stiffness was measured using the - stiffness index via simultaneous ultrasound and applanation tonometry on the carotid artery. Mean task-related activation intensity was determined for 12 a priori regions of interest (ROI). Statistical analyses included partial correlations, controlling for hypertension status and antihypertensive medication. Results: Arterial stiffness was correlated negatively with task-related activation in 3 ROIs: left precentral gyrus/BA 6 (r=-0.64, p<0.001), left precentral/middle frontal gyrus (r=-0.62, p=0.001) and left supe...
Excessive adipose tissue, particularly with a centralized distribution, propagates hormonal and m... more Excessive adipose tissue, particularly with a centralized distribution, propagates hormonal and metabolic disturbance. The detrimental effects of adiposity may extend beyond the periphery and target the central nervous system, increasing vulnerability to cognitive decline. The aim of the current study was to determine how central adiposity impacts the brain at midlife by examining the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response to a challenging cognitive task. Seventy-three adults, aged 40-60 years, completed a 2-back verbal working memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Central adiposity was assessed with waist circumference. The association between waist circumference and task-related activation in a priori regions of interest was modeled using bootstrapping regression models corrected for multiple-comparisons. Larger waist circumference was associated with diminished working-memory-related BOLD response in the right superior frontal gyrus (β=-0.008, P=0.001, 9...
Uploads
Papers by Katayoon Goudarzi