Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with brain atrophy in Japanese elders.

Background: The relation between atherosclerosis and brain atrophy remains unclear in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: This study was performed to clarify the relation between brain atrophy and carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: A total of 142 patients (78 women and 64 men, mean age 74 years) with no neurologic disturbances were studied.