ABSTRACT
It is well recognized that the incidence and severity of cognitive impairment and dementia increase with age (Graham et al., 1997; Ritchie & Kildea, 1995). However, aging does not inevitably lead to cognitive decline, although subtle changes in cognitive function may occur with age (Rapp & Amaral, 1992). An expanding literature indicates that both subtle alterations in cognition and more severe deWcits may be associated with hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular (CV) diseases or risk factors (Breteler, Claus, Grobbee, & Hofman, 1994; M. F. Elias, Wolf, D’Agostino, Cobb, & White, 1993; Haan, Shemanski, Jagust, Manolio, & Kuller, 1999; Launer, Feskens, Kalmijn, & Kromhout, 1996; Waldstein, Manuck, Ryan, & Muldoon, 1991). The purpose of this chapter is to review the available evidence linking atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment and decline.
