Peak Expiratory Flow Predicts Incident Dementia in a Representative Sample of U.S. Older Adults: The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS).

These associations suggest a dose-dependent relationship such that higher PEF categories were more protective against incident dementia. PEF may be considered as an easily administered, low-cost measure of respiratory function and a potentially modifiable dementia risk factor. Improving PEF may reduce dementia risk through vascular mechanisms, such as increased brain oxygenation. Future research should explore potential causal pathways between PEF and dementia.