[Hypertension and disorders of cognitive function]

In the treatment of hypertension, the aspect of cognitive function is now becoming ever more important. In recent years, the influence of hypertension itself--as well as that of anti-hypertensive treatment--on cognitive functioning has repeatedly been investigated. The results obtained differ too widely to permit any final statement to be made on the relationships involved. The reasons for these differences seem to be due in particular to differences in the methods of investigation and random sampling involved in the studies. More recent studies, however, seem to support a relationship between hypertension and decreased cognitive performance. Improved investigations are expected to produce more detailed results in the future.