OU Hudson Research Reveals Link Between Midlife Heart Health and Later Cognitive Decline

Dr. Tauqeer Ali, a faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and the Center for American Health Research, has recently published groundbreaking research in Frontiers in Epidemiology.

Using data from the Strong Heart Study, Dr. Ali and his team followed American Indian adults across Oklahoma, Arizona, North Dakota, and South Dakota for more than a decade. Their findings revealed that midlife carotid atherosclerosis—plaque buildup in the arteries of the neck—was associated with brain shrinkage and lower cognitive test performance later in life.

These findings carry particular significance for Oklahoma, a state that has consistently faced some of the nation’s most challenging cardiovascular health outcomes. Dr. Ali’s work underscores the importance of early heart health interventions in preventing cognitive decline and promoting long-term wellness.

📖 Read the full study.