Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (Caide) Risk Score and Its Association With Cognitive Performance and Volumetric Brain Measures in Mild Cognitive Impairment Publisher



Abtahi Y ; Falahati M ; Sharabiani S ; Gila F ; Omidi S ; Goharmanesh F ; Nourbakhsh Y ; Chaleshtari MJ ; Nourbakhshi MH ; Mahmoudi P ; Zamiri R ; Dalir L ; Gharehdaghi Z ; Nasiri H Show All Authors
Source: IBRO Neuroscience Reports Published:2026

Abstract

Background: The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia (CAIDE) composite score is a promising measure connecting vascular health to cognitive decline; However, its association with brain imaging findings remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the associations between CAIDE and structural brain measures in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Participants (n = 226) aged 55–90 years with available CAIDE scores and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) measurements and a diagnosis of amnestic MCI were included. Regression models were used to evaluate the association between CAIDE score and neuropsychiatric and imaging findings. Results: Higher CAIDE scores were significantly correlated with lower MMSE scores (r = -0.22, p = 0.001) and higher CDR-SB (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) and ADAS-Cog 11 scores (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). CAIDE scores were significantly positively related to total cerebrum (β = 0.319), gray matter (β = 0.337), and hippocampal volumes (β = 0.250, all p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated that total gray matter (AUC = 0.70) and total brain (AUC = 0.69) were more accurate predictors of dementia risk compared to WMH volume (AUC = 0.52). Conclusion: Higher CAIDE dementia risk scores were linked to poorer cognitive performance but showed limited association with WMH burden in individuals with MCI. Gray matter and hippocampal volumes were stronger correlates of dementia risk than WMH volume and CAIDE-related risk may be better captured by cortical and hippocampal structural changes rather than white matter disease. © 2026 The Authors