Carotid intima media thickness correlates with memory function in productive age population

Carotid artery is the main blood source for brain, and abnormality of its thickness is associated with cognitive impairment. While Indonesia is one of the countries with largest dementia population, there are only few studies of Indonesian cognitive-impaired population. We attempted to correlate Indonesian carotid artery thickness profile with cognitive function. We enrolled 79 subjects from community setting; Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) was measured by carotid ultrasonography, while memory function is measured by Rey-Osterrieth Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT). CIMT was 0.81 ± 0.22 cm for left and 0.81 ± 0.22 cm for right carotid artery. There was significant correlation between CIMT and verbal memory function (r of thinnest CIMT =-0.29). In conclusion, thicker CIMT correlated with worse verbal recall memory.