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Brain metabolic function in older men with chronic essential hypertension
J A Salerno1, C Grady, M Mentis
1Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Summary
Hypertension may impact brain function, even in cognitively normal older men. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans revealed differences in brain glucose metabolism in hypertensive individuals compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a common condition in older adults.
- Long-term hypertension can affect various organ systems.
- Previous research indicated structural brain changes in hypertensive individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of medically treated essential hypertension on brain function.
- To compare brain glucose metabolism between hypertensive men and age-matched controls.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) using (18F)-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) was employed.
- 17 healthy older hypertensive men and 25 age-matched controls participated.
- Subjects were cognitively normal, with hypertension treated for at least 10 years.
Main Results:
- PET scans revealed altered brain glucose metabolism in hypertensive men.
- Group differences in brain metabolism were analyzed using t-tests.
- These findings suggest a potential impact of hypertension on brain function.
Conclusions:
- Hypertension may influence brain glucose metabolism, even without cognitive impairment.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these metabolic changes.
- PET imaging can detect functional brain alterations associated with hypertension.
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