Fig. 3

Causal relationship diagrams showing the natural direct and indirect effects of BP parameters on MMSE scores with mediation by Alzheimer’s and vascular markers. A, M, and Y in the diagram indicate the exposure, mediator, and outcome variables, respectively. Natural direct and indirect effects are represented as estimates (95% confidence intervals) with P-values. The solid or dashed lines indicate whether the effects are statistically significant or not

Abbreviations: Aβ, amyloid-beta; WMH, white matter hyperintensities; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; SD, standard deviation; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; NDE, natural direct effect; NIE, natural indirect effect