A Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Persons With Heart Failure to Health, Aged Matched Controls

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and myelin water imaging (MWI) will be used to compare brain structural white matter between participants with heart failure and healthy controls. This will be obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

Functional connectivity that regulates neurocognitive functions will be assessed by blood oxygen level dependent resting state functional MRI (rsFMRI).This will be obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) based magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging will evaluate global cerebral blood flow (CBF). This will be obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) based magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging will evaluate regional cerebral blood flow (CBF). This will be obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) of T1-weighted (T1w) high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging MRI anatomics will be used to measure brain structural white matter.

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a brief, individually administered test designed to evaluate neuropsychological status of adults, ages 20-89. The 12 subtests measure attention, language, visuospatial/constructional abilities, and immediate and delayed memory.

The Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) Test is a verbal fluency test that measures spontaneous production of words belonging to the same category or beginning with some designated letter. The more words produced in the allotted time period the higher the score.

The Color Trails Test measures sustained attention and sequencing. For Part 1, the respondent uses a pencil to rapidly connect circles numbered 1-25 in sequence. For Part 2, the respondent rapidly connects numbered circles in sequence, but alternates between pink and yellow. The length of time to complete each trial is recorded, along with qualitative features of performance indicative of brain dysfunction, such as near-misses, prompts, number sequence errors, and color sequence errors.

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) Digit Span Test measures short-term memory, attention, and concentration. Participants will be asked to repeat 3 - 9 digits forward and 2 - 9 digits backwards.

During the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III) Letter Number Sequence Test, participants will be presented with combinations of letters and numbers, (two to nine letter-number combinations). Participants will be asked to repeat each series by, first, repeating the numbers in ascending order, then the letters in alphabetical order. The test measures working memory or the ability to simultaneously recall and organize stimuli of different and similar types

The Stroop Test measure a person's selective attention capacity and skills, as well as their processing speed ability.It is used to examine a person's executive processing abilities. The Stroop Test during brain imaging studies is used to investigate regions of the brain that are involved in planning, decision-making, and managing real-world interference

The California Computerized Assessment Package assesses reaction times, speed of information processing, rapid visual scanning, form discrimination, brief memory and divided attention.

The Self-care Index Heart Failure (SCHFI) is a measure designed to assess self-care maintenance, management, and confidence. Participants will be asked to recall feelings of the aforementioned in the last three months.

Peaked oxygen consumption will be assessed by the Modified Balke Test. Participants will be asked to walk on a slightly inclined treadmill. The amount of oxygen consumed will be measured while walking for up to ten minutes.

The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire is a 23-item, self-administered instrument that quantifies physical function, symptoms (frequency, severity and recent change), social function, self-efficacy and knowledge, and quality of life.