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Published on: April 23, 2021
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.
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.
Abstract:
Hypertension with high homocysteine (Hcy, ≥10 μmol/L) is also known as H-type hypertension (HHT) and proposed as an independent risk factor for stroke and cognitive impairment. Although previous studies have established the relationships among hypertension, Hcy levels, and cognitive impairment, how they affect brain neuroanatomy remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether and to what extent hypertension and high Hcy may affect gray matter volume in 52 middle-aged HHT patients and 51 demographically matched normotensive subjects. Voxel-based morphological analysis suggested that HHT patients experienced significant gray matter loss in the default network. The default network atrophy was significantly correlated with Hcy level and global cognitive function. These findings provide, to our knowledge, novel insights into how HHT affects brain gray matter morphology through blood pressure and Hcy.
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