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Updated: May 20, 2026

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Natriuretic Peptides as a Biomarker of Cognitive Decline in Hypertension
Giovanna Gallo1,2, Gianmarco Dutti1,2,3, Maurizio Volterrani3
1Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa, Rome, 1035-1039, 00189, Italy.
Insights
Natriuretic peptides (NPs) may serve as early biomarkers for cognitive decline in hypertension patients. This review explores their potential for early detection and management of hypertension-related cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Cognitive decline and dementia are common outcomes of atherosclerosis and hypertension.
- Hypertension guidelines now recognize cognitive decline as a key therapeutic target.
- Early detection of cognitive decline is challenging due to varied clinical presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and update evidence on natriuretic peptides (NPs) as biomarkers for cognitive decline.
- To examine the role of NPs in the context of hypertension.
- To identify potential future clinical applications of NPs in diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and evidence synthesis.
- Analysis of studies investigating the link between NPs, cognitive function, and hypertension.
- Exploration of diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a link between natriuretic peptides (NPs) and cognitive function in hypertensive individuals.
- NPs show potential as early indicators of cognitive impairment.
- Further research is needed to establish clinical utility.
Conclusions:
- Natriuretic peptides (NPs) represent a promising avenue for biomarker development in hypertension-related cognitive decline.
- Clinical applications may include early diagnosis, severity assessment, and treatment monitoring.
- Future studies should focus on validating NPs in diverse clinical settings.
Abstract:
Cognitive decline and dementia are frequent consequences of atherosclerosis and hypertension.Indeed, recent guidelines have identified cognitive decline as a major consequence of high blood pressure and one of the therapeutic targets in hypertension. Unfortunately, early assessment of cognitive decline in the clinical practice is often difficult due to the heterogeneity and the variable severity of the clinical presentations and manifestations.It would be of great help to rely on reproducible clinical markers that can herald the early onset of cognitive decline and can help in assessing the severity or guiding management on the basis of the response to treatment. In such a context, a link between natriuretic peptides (NPs), cognitive function and hypertension has been reported.The aim of this article is to analyse and update the available evidence in support of NPs as a potential biomarker of cognitive decline with regard to the context of hypertension and to identify potential future clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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