The association between blood pressure components and cognitive functions and cognitive reserve.

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension exerts a subtle impact on the brain that is revealed by diminished cognitive function. This study aimed at evaluating the association between blood pressure components and cognitive functions and cognitive reserve.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 500 subjects from general population were evaluated. All neuropsychological tests were negatively associated with age; memory and executive function were also positively related with education.

RESULTS

The hypertensives (HT) were less efficient than the normotensives (NT) in the test of memory with interference at 10 s (MI-10) (-32%, p = 0.043), clock drawing test (CLOX) (-26%, p < 0.001), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (-7.4%, p = 0.02). Lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were predicted by higher systolic (OR, 0.94, p = 0.032; OR 0.96, p < 0.001; OR 0.94, p < 0.001) and higher pulse pressure (BP) (OR 0.95, p = 0.04; OR 0.97, p < 0.001; and OR 0.92, p < 0.001). The cognitive reserve index (CRI) was 8% lower in the HT (p = 0.04) and was predicted by higher pulse BP (OR 0.86, p < 0.001). The BP vectors of lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were directed towards higher values of systolic and diastolic BP, that of low CRI towards higher systolic and lower diastolic.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to the belief that a link exists between BP and cognition, higher values of systolic BP being associated to impaired cognitive function.