Hypertension and the Brain: A Risk Factor for More Than Heart Disease

Anja Meissner
2016 Cerebrovascular Diseases  
impact of anti-hypertensive therapy on cognitive performance with conflicting results. Summary: In light of the current knowledge, it becomes apparent that there is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms underlying hypertension-induced cerebrovascular complications in order to identify effective therapeutic targets to prevent and most importantly also reverse cognitive decline mediated through hypertension. Key Message: This review summarizes the current knowledge of cSVD pathogenesis as
more » ... ll as possible links to hypertension-mediated cerebrovascular complications. By pointing out knowledge gaps, it aims to spur future studies in search of specific targets helping to prevent therapy failures and decelerate the rapidly progressing neurodegeneration of patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases emanating from hypertension. Introduction As our life expectancy increases and the proportion of older adults in our population grows, cognitive changes emanating from cerebrovascular disease are becoming an increasingly common problem. With disease progression, these cognitive changes often transition into dementia, gradually leading to decreased quality of life and a considerable burden of care for other members of the Key Words Cerebral small vessel disease · Hypertension · Cognitive decline · Microvasculature · Endothelial dysfunction Abstract Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), a common risk factor for cognitive impairment, involves unspecific arteriopathy characterized by hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction that alter cerebrovascular function and auto-regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Microbleedings, subcortical lacunar infarctions and diffuse areas of white matter lesions resulting from vascular injury are associated with reduced cognitive function mostly characterized by difficulties in learning and retention, attention deficits, gait disorders or depression. In recent years, it has become evident that vascular risk factors contribute to the development of cSVD and associated vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Among them, hypertension emerged as such a major modifiable risk factor since the brain presents an early target for organ damage due to changes in blood pressure (BP). Subsequently both high and, especially in the elderly, low BP have been linked to cognitive decline, which initiated controversial discussions about BP control as a potential therapeutic strategy to achieve optimal brain perfusion and thus, reduce the occurrence of cSVD and cognitive dysfunction. Yet, recent randomized controlled trials examined the
doi:10.1159/000446082 pmid:27173592 fatcat:bzbwszrrjncuni2ylstyfmo4da