Dynamical Regulation of Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Blood pressure (BP) variability provides insights beyond average BP.
• Variability over clinic visits and 24-hour monitoring is linked to health risks and cognitive decline.
• Beat-to-beat BP variation, specifically low-frequency BPV (LF-BPV), is less understood regarding cognitive impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between low-frequency blood pressure variability (LF-BPV) and cognitive performance.
• To examine LF-BPV in relation to episodic memory and executive function in a large cohort.

Main Methods:

• 1953 participants from the Midlife in the US study completed cognitive tests (BTACT).
• Continuous, non-invasive BP was recorded using a Finometer.
• Fourier-based spectral analysis quantified LF-BPV; linear regression analyzed associations with cognitive indices.

Main Results:

• Both systolic (LF-SBPV) and diastolic (LF-DBPV) LF-BPV showed positive associations with executive function (EFF) and episodic memory (EMF).
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, education, and income.
• Findings for LF-DBPV mirrored those for LF-SBPV.

Conclusions:

• Higher LF-BPV is associated with better cognitive function, including executive function and episodic memory.
• This suggests LF-BPV may enhance cerebral blood flow and waste clearance mechanisms.
• Improved brain health via glymphatic and periarterial drainage pathways may underlie the observed cognitive benefits.