Machine-learning derived heart and brain age are independently associated with cognition.

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Abstract

A heart age biomarker has been developed using deep neural networks applied to electrocardiograms. We investigated whether this biomarker is associated with cognitive function.Using 12-lead electrocardiogram, heart age was estimated for a population-based sample (N = 7779, age 40-85 years, 45.3% men). Associations between heart delta age (HDA) and cognitive test scores were studied adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, the relationship between HDA, brain delta age (BDA), and cognitive test scores was investigated in mediation analysis.We found significant associations between HDA and word test, digit-symbol coding test, and tapping test scores. HDA was correlated with BDA (Pearson’s r = 0.12, p=0.0001). Moreover, 13% (95%CI:3, 36) of the HDA effect on tapping test score was mediated through BDA.HDA, representing cumulative effects of life-long exposures, was associated with brain age. HDA was associated with cognitive function that was minimally explained through BDA.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.