Effects of blood pressure on neurocognitive functions

Abstract

Prior clinical studies have documented that high blood pressure is one of the prominent risk factors leading to cerebrovascular disease and subsequent cognitive impairment. The present study aims to examine the relationship between blood pressure and brain and cognitive function in a community sample. This study recruited 41 elderly persons aged 60–70. Multiple imaging modalities were adopted to assess white matter microstructure, regional brain volume, and resting-state neural activity while a set of neuropsychological tests was used to assess cognitive function. With blood pressure measured at clinical interview, correlation and regression analyses were performed. Results showed reduced white matter integrity with increased systolic blood pressure in the splenium of the corpus callosum and inferior longitudinal fasciculus in the absence of change in brain volume or neural activity. Also, increased systolic blood pressure was found to be correlated with poorer cognitive performance in information processing speed. The results held significant after controlling age, sex, and education. These observations of the subclinical sample suggest that high blood pressure relates to subtle changes in the brain and cognitive deficits. Blood pressure control, as a relatively modifiable factor, should be taken seriously in community-dwelling elderly.