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Regional grey matter shrinks in hypertensive individuals despite successful lowering of blood pressure

J R Jennings1, D N Mendelson, M F Muldoon

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. JenningsJR@upmc.edu

Journal of Human Hypertension
|April 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension is linked to brain grey matter loss. Even with successful blood pressure treatment, this shrinkage may continue over one year, suggesting hypertension

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a global health concern.
  • Hypertension is associated with structural brain changes, including grey matter volume reduction.
  • The long-term impact of anti-hypertensive treatment on these brain changes is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether grey matter volume reduction in hypertensive patients persists or is reversed after one year of successful anti-hypertensive treatment.
  • To compare brain grey matter changes in treated hypertensive patients with normotensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 41 hypertensive patients undergoing one year of successful anti-hypertensive therapy was studied.
  • Brain grey matter volumes were assessed at baseline and after one year using a semi-automated measurement technique (automated labelling pathway).
  • Results were compared with archival data from age-matched normotensive individuals.

Main Results:

  • Regional grey matter volume reductions were observed in hypertensive patients over the one-year follow-up period, despite effective blood pressure control.
  • No significant changes in grey matter volume were found in the tested regions of the normotensive comparison group over the same period.
  • These findings indicate a persistent trend of grey matter shrinkage associated with hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • Essential hypertension is associated with regional grey matter shrinkage.
  • Successful reduction of blood pressure may not completely halt or reverse this grey matter volume loss.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and long-term consequences of hypertension-related brain changes.

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