This study used structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate whether retinal vascular density (VD) is related to individual executive function (EF) performance in healthy older adults, with haematocrit as a mediator. The results showed that there was no significant direct or indirect correlation between VD and EF, but there was a significant regression of haematocrit on EF performance. The authors concluded that changes in retinal VD are not a suitable parameter for predicting cognitive decline in healthy older adults, while higher haematocrit levels appear to have a positive effect on EF.
In: Experimental Brain Research