Heart rate variability and cardiorespiratory fitness associated with biological brain aging in a healthy adult lifespan sample.
Abstract
Measures of cardiovascular health have long been associated with brain health. For example, aerobic capacity (VO2max) is associated with preservation of functional and structural brain integrity in later life. Recent work has highlighted the utility of relative brain age (RBA; the age‐corrected difference between a brain’s chronological and estimated biological ages) to examine the rate of biological brain aging. However, the impact of cardiovascular factors on RBA remains underexplored. Here, we examine estimates of biological brain aging (via RBA) in the context of two key measures of cardiovascular health: aerobic fitness (VO2max), and heart rate variability (HRV) ‐ a measure of autonomic regulation associated with cognitive control, emotional regulation, and risk of neurological conditions, including dementia.
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Research summary
The paper explores the relationship between cardiovascular health and biological brain aging, which is pertinent to understanding the mechanisms of aging and potential interventions. However, while it contributes to the field by examining the association between aerobic fitness and brain health, it does not propose novel solutions or insights that significantly advance the understanding of aging itself. Thus, its impact is solid but limited.
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