Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 25, 2026

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

3.5K

Hypertension is associated with worse cognitive function and hippocampal hypometabolism in Alzheimer's disease

I Moonga1, F Niccolini1, H Wilson1

  • 1Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IOPPN), King's College London, London, UK.

European Journal of Neurology
|July 29, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is linked to poorer cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms, but not increased amyloid or tau pathology. Managing hypertension may help alleviate AD symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease risk factors, including hypertension, are increasingly linked to sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Hypertension is known to cause cerebrovascular disease and vascular dementia via vascular remodeling.
  • The precise mechanisms connecting hypertension and AD pathogenesis remain largely undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between hypertension and clinical, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and imaging markers of AD pathology.
  • To elucidate potential underlying mechanisms linking hypertension and AD.
  • To explore the impact of hypertension on cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 197 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants with AD (97 hypertensive, 100 normotensive).
  • Comparison of cognitive function using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog).
  • Assessment of neuropsychiatric symptoms via the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI).
  • Evaluation of hippocampal glucose metabolism using positron emission tomography (PET).
  • Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric data and [18F]florbetapir uptake in amyloid PET imaging.

Main Results:

  • Hypertensive AD patients exhibited significantly worse cognitive function (P = 0.038) and higher neuropsychiatric symptom burden (P = 0.016).
  • Reduced hippocampal glucose hypometabolism was observed in hypertensive AD patients in both the right (P < 0.001) and left (P = 0.007) hippocampi.
  • No significant differences were found in MRI volumetric measurements, amyloid PET uptake, or plasma and CSF biomarkers between hypertensive and normotensive AD groups.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension in AD is associated with diminished cognitive performance, increased behavioral issues, and impaired hippocampal metabolism.
  • The findings suggest hypertension does not exacerbate core amyloid or tau pathology in AD.
  • Effective hypertension management may offer a therapeutic strategy for symptom alleviation in Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging InitiativeAlzheimer's diseaseblood pressurehypertension

More Related Videos

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction PPI Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease09:38

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction PPI Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: November 14, 2017

15.8K
Osmotic Minipump Implantation for Increasing Glucose Concentration in Mouse Cerebrospinal Fluid06:21

Osmotic Minipump Implantation for Increasing Glucose Concentration in Mouse Cerebrospinal Fluid

Published on: April 7, 2023

2.2K

Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
1.9K
Role of Hippocampus in Memory01:19

Role of Hippocampus in Memory

The hippocampus, a critical brain structure, plays an essential role in memory processing, particularly in the formation and retrieval of memory. This small, seahorse-shaped region is located within the medial temporal lobe, with one hippocampus in each brain hemisphere. Experimental studies involving lesions in the hippocampi of rats have demonstrated significant impairments in tasks such as object recognition and maze navigation, indicating the hippocampus involvement in both recognition and...
1.7K
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
667
Cognitive Development During Adulthood01:30

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
973
Dementia01:30

Dementia

Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
605
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
1.1K