White matter hyperintensity on MRI and plasma Aβ42/40 ratio additively increase the risk of cognitive impairment in hypertensive adults

Abstract

Introduction: Dementia often involves comorbid Alzheimer's and vascular pathology, but their combined impact warrants additional study.

Methods: We analyzed the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial and categorized white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume into highest versus lowest/mid tertile and the amyloid beta (Aβ)42/40 ratio into lowest versus mid/highest ratio tertile. Using these binary variables, we created four exposure categories: (1) combined low risk, (2) Aβ risk, (3) WMH risk, and (4) combined high risk.

Results: In the cohort of 467 participants (mean age 69.7 ± 7.1, 41.8% female, 31.9% nonwhite or Hispanic) during 4.8 years of follow-up and across the four exposure categories the rates of cognitive impairment were 5.3%, 7.8%, 11.8%, and 22.6%. Compared to the combined low-risk category, the adjusted hazard ratio for cognitive impairment was 4.12 (95% confidence interval, 1.71 to 9.94) in the combined high-risk category.

Discussion: This study emphasizes the potential impact of therapeutic approaches to dementia prevention that target both vascular and amyloid pathology.

Highlights: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) and plasma amyloid (Aβ42/40) are additive risk factors for the development of cognitive impairment in the SPRINT MIND trial. Individuals in the high-risk categories of both WMH and Aβ42/40 had a near fivefold increase in risk of cognitive impairment during 4.8 years of follow-up on average. These findings suggest that treatment strategies targeting both vascular health and amyloid burden warrant further research.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease biomarkers; Aβ42/40 ratio; cerebrovascular pathology; cognitive impairment risk; dementia; vascular and amyloid pathways; white matter hyperintensity (WMH).