Hypertension With High Homocysteine Is Associated With Default Network Gray Matter Loss

Yanliang Kong1, Xin Li2, Lina Chang1

  • 1Department of Radiology, People's Hospital of Tongchuan City, Tongchuan, China.

Frontiers in Neurology
|October 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

H-type hypertension (HHT) is linked to brain gray matter loss in the default network. This atrophy correlates with homocysteine levels and cognitive function, offering new insights into HHT

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • H-type hypertension (HHT), defined by high homocysteine (Hcy) levels, is a risk factor for stroke and cognitive decline.
  • The impact of HHT on brain neuroanatomy, specifically gray matter volume, remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of H-type hypertension and elevated homocysteine on brain gray matter volume.
  • To explore the relationship between HHT, gray matter changes, and cognitive function.

Main Methods:

  • Voxel-based morphological analysis was employed.
  • 52 middle-aged HHT patients and 51 matched normotensive controls were studied.

Main Results:

  • HHT patients exhibited significant gray matter loss within the default network.
  • Default network atrophy was significantly correlated with homocysteine levels.
  • Gray matter loss also correlated with global cognitive function.

Conclusions:

  • H-type hypertension is associated with gray matter reduction in the default network.
  • Homocysteine levels and blood pressure in HHT significantly impact brain morphology.
  • These findings elucidate the neuroanatomical consequences of HHT.

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