Cross-sectional associations between cardiac biomarkers, cognitive performance, and structural brain changes are modified by age: The Maastricht Study

Objective— NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) and cardiac troponin T (cTNT) are associated with cognitive performance. Whether this extends to individuals Approach and Results— In 3011 individuals (60±8 years; 49% women), NT-proBNP and cTNT, memory, information processing speed and executive functioning, grey matter (GM) and white matter, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes were determined. We used regression, adjusted for educational level, cardiovascular factors, and lifestyle factors, to test whether cross-sectional associations between biomarkers and cognitive performance and structural brain changes were modified by age (β WMH per 10-fold higher level, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.10–0.52]). P interaction , P interaction ,>0.10). Higher cTNT was associated with greater WMH (0.18 [95% CI, −0.01 to 0.37]; P interaction ,>0.10) but not with GM (0.07 [95% CI, −6.87 to 7.02]; P interaction , Conclusions— Biomarkers of cardiac injury are continuously associated with structural brain changes in both older and younger individuals but with poorer cognitive performance only in older individuals. These findings stress the continuous nature of the heart-brain axis in the development of cognitive impairment.