Cognition – ABC CARDIOL

ABC

Viewpoint

Cognitive Deficit in Heart Failure and the Benefits of Aerobic Physical Activity

Maria Luíza de Medeiros Rêgo et al. Daniel Aranha Rego Cabral Eduardo Bodnariuc Fontes

Abstract

Heart Failure is a clinical syndrome prevalent throughout the world and a major contribution to mortality of cardiac patients in Brazil. In addition, this pathology is strongly related to cerebral dysfunction, with a high prevalence of cognitive impairment. Many mechanisms may be related to cognitive loss, such as cerebral hypoperfusion, atrophy and loss of gray matter of the brain, and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The literature is clear regarding the benefits of aerobic physical activity in healthy populations in the modulation of the autonomic nervous system and in brain functions. Studies have shown that in the population of patients with heart failure, exercise is associated with an improvement in cognitive function, as well as in cardiac autonomic regulation. However, little emphasis has been given to the mechanisms by which aerobic physical activity can benefit brain functioning, the autonomic nervous system and result in better cognitive performance, particularly in patients with heart failure. Therefore, the present work presents the ways in which brain areas responsible for cognition also act in the modulation of the autonomic nervous system, and emphasizes its importance for the understanding of cognitive impairment in relation to the pathophysiology of heart failure. It is also described the way in which aerobic physical activity can promote benefits when it is integrated into the therapy, associated to a better prognosis of the clinical picture of these patients.

Read Full Article

ABC

Artigo Original

Elderly hypertensives show decreased cognitive performance compared with elderly normotensives

Juliana Magalhães Duarte Matoso et al. Wellington Bruno Santos Irene de Freitas Henriques Moreira Roberto Alves Lourenço Marcelo Lima de Gusmão Correia

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension has been associated with decreased cognitive performance; however, the literature is conflicting. OBJECTIVE: This study aims at comparing cognitive performance between elderly normotensives (“N”; n = 17; age 68 ± 1; blood pressure = 133 ± 3/74 ±2 mmHg) and hypertensives (“H”; n = 28; age 69 ± 1, blood pressure = 148 ± 4/80 ± 1mmHg) with at least 5 years of education. METHODS: The comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was comprised of the Cambridge Cognition-Revised (CAMCOG-R), the Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A and B) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). RESULTS: Elderly hypertensives presented lower CAMCOG-R global scores (N = 87.6 ± 1.8; H = 78.6 ± 1.4; p = 0.002). The hypertensive’s performance was slower in the TMT A and B (TMT A: N = 39 ± 3s; H = 57 ± 3s; p = 0.001; TMT B: N = 93 ± 7s; H = 124 ± 7s; p = 0.006), which was also reflected in smaller percentiles achieved by hypertensives in these tests. Hypertensive subjects exhibited a significantly lower RAVLT summation score (N = 51.8 ± 1.7; H = 40.7 ± 1.5; p < 0.0001). Even when adjusted for age, sex, education and depression symptoms, hypertension was an independent predictor of cognitive performance as measured by CAMCOG-R global score, TMT A and RAVLT summation score. CONCLUSION: Cognitive performance is lower in elderly hypertensives as compared with elderly normotensives.

Read Full Article

Cognitive Deficit in Heart Failure and the Benefits of Aerobic Physical Activity

Abstract

Elderly hypertensives show decreased cognitive performance compared with elderly normotensives

Electronic Document Format (Vancouver)

Electronic Document Format (ABNT)

Electronic Document Format (APA)

Electronic Document Format (ISO)

Electronic Document Format (Vancouver)

Electronic Document Format (ABNT)

Electronic Document Format (APA)

Electronic Document Format (ISO)