Neuroelectric indices of inhibitory control are related to arterial stiffness

Despite cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death for the past three decades, its prevalence continues to rise with estimates suggest that by the year 2050 nearly half of United States adults will be at risk. Cardiovascular health is closely linked with cognition. A growing body of research suggests that increase in arterial stiffness, along with aging, may compound cognitive impairments. Limited research has explored the influence of arterial stiffness on neuroelectric indices of inhibitory control. Accordingly, this study examined the relationship between arterial stiffness and attentional and response inhibition. A cross-sectional sample of 66 adults (39.38 ± 16.98 years) was recruited from the East-Central Illinois area. Arterial stiffness was assessed via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV; 6.41 ± 1.24 m/s). Attentional and response inhibition were assessed using Eriksen flanker and NoGo tasks, respectively. Neuroelectric activity was recorded via the P3 and N2 event-related potential components. The relationship between cfPWV and cognitive outcomes of inhibition were analyzed with stepwise linear regression modeling, while controlling for age, sex, education level, and body fat percentage. The associations between cfPWV and behavioral performance measures (i.e., accuracy and reaction time) during the cognitive control tasks were non-significant. However, higher cfPWV was associated with delayed P3 peak latency in the incongruent condition of the flanker task (β = 0.04, R ² = 0.25, p = 0.004). These findings suggest selective associations between greater cardiovascular risk and poorer neuroelectric indices of attentional inhibition, particularly when task demands are increased.