Gender differences in neuropsychological performance in individuals with atherosclerosis: Impact of vascular function

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess gender differences in cognition in elderly individuals (N = 88; 38 women, 50 men) with atherosclerotic vascular disease (AVD) and to determine whether these were attributable to differences in vascular health. Assessments included neuropsychological testing and measurement of forearm vascular function using venous occlusion plethysmography. There was a significant female advantage on multiple neuropsychological tests. This gender effect was reduced somewhat but remained significant when controlling for education and vascular function. Our study suggests that gender differences in cognition persist into older age and are not primarily due to gender differences in vascular health.

Keywords:

• Gender
• Cognition
• Vascular disease
• Neuropsychology
• Vascular function

We would like to thank Christine Sinkey for her technical assistance in the assessment of vascular function. Sources of funding: This research was supported by grants to David J. Moser from the National Institute on Aging (1 K23 AG020649–01A1; R01 AG030417–01A2), and grants to William G. Haynes from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (HL14388), the National Center for Research Resources (Clinical and Translational Science Award, 1UL1RR024979), and the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates.