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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Vascular structure and function is correlated to cognitive performance and white matter hyperintensities in older

Anna Kearney-Schwartz1, Patrick Rossignol, Serge Bracard

  • 1Nancy University Hospital, Clinical Investigation Centre, J d'Arc Hospital, Dommartin lès Toul, France.

Stroke
|February 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Vascular issues like arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are linked to memory loss and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in older adults. These factors, independent of blood pressure, may offer new targets for preventing cognitive decline.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Arterial stiffening, thickening, and endothelial dysfunction are potential contributors to cognitive decline and white matter hyperintensities (WMH).
  • These vascular factors may impact cognition independently of blood pressure levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relative contributions of structural and functional vascular factors to cognitive impairment and WMH severity.
  • To examine elderly hypertensive patients with subjective memory complaints, a population at risk for dementia.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 198 elderly hypertensive patients with memory complaints.
  • Assessments included cognitive function tests, brain MRI for WMH, carotid ultrasonography, pulse wave velocity, endothelial function tests, and plasma von Willebrand Factor levels.

Main Results:

  • Increased arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity) was independently associated with memory impairment in men.
  • WMH severity correlated with increased carotid intima media thickness, arterial stiffness (augmentation index), age, and endothelial dysfunction markers (von Willebrand Factor).

Conclusions:

  • Vascular abnormalities, independent of blood pressure, are implicated in memory complaints and WMH in elderly hypertensive individuals.
  • Assessing arterial thickness, stiffness, and endothelial function simultaneously may provide targets for preventing cognitive issues and WMH.
Abstract

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