News reports

cardiac arrest

February 2009

Heart failure linked to cognitive impairment

A study of 50 patients with chronic heart failure, matched with 50 people without HF, has found that patients with HF scored significantly lower than controls on 14 of 19 cognitive tests, and 46% of the HF patients were rated as having mild to severe cognitive impairment, compared to 16% of mild impairment in controls. The degree of cognitive impairment was closely related to the number of myocardial infarctions experienced. These findings have important implications for the care of patients with HF.
The study was published in the February issue of Journal of Cardiac Failure.  Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-02/e-hfl020509.php

July 2008

Heart disease linked to worse cognition

Another report has come out from the large Whitehall study, this time on the subject of coronary heart disease and cognition. The study found that coronary heart disease was associated with a worse performance in mental processes such as reasoning, vocabulary and verbal fluency, and that the longer ago the heart disease had been diagnosed, the worse was the person's cognitive performance. This effect was particularly marked in men. Although there has been quite a lot of research on cardiovascular disease and impaired cognition, this is the first, large study to specifically examine the association between coronary heart disease and cognition. The major risk factors for coronary heart disease are all modifiable: cigarette smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The findings also support the growing view that it is events happening in earlier life that have an impact on whether or not dementia develops in older age.
The study was published online 22 July in the European Heart Journal.  Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/esoc-hdi072108.php

September 2004

Why cardiac arrest may hinder ability to learn certain tasks

Cardiac arrest can take a particularly harsh toll on the hippocampus, the area of the brain that plays a critical role in memory and navigation. A new mouse study found that mice that had had a (surgically induced) heart attack had far more difficulty learning a new spatial task than did healthy mice (controls were given the surgery, but didn’t have a cardiac arrest induced). Mice in the heart attack group spent about eight minutes in cardiac arrest – enough time to stop the flow of oxygen to the brain. Analysis of the brain tissue found an overall 18% decrease in dendritic spine density in the hippocampus in the cardiac arrest mice compared to the control mice (dendritic spines are projections from neurons involved in sending signals throughout the central nervous system and the body). The researchers are now looking at how different types of social interactions influence the number and health of neurons that survive a heart attack.
The study appeared in the October issue of the European Journal of Neuroscience. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-09/osu-cam092904.htm

cardiovascular risk factors

September 2009

Impaired kidney function linked to cognitive decline in elderly

Analysis of data from 886 older adults in the Rush Memory and Aging Project (mean age 81) has found that poor kidney function, assessed at the beginning of the study, was linked with a more rapid rate of decline over the next several years in episodic, semantic and working memory, but not in visuospatial ability or perceptual speed. The rate of decline was equivalent to that of a person seven years older at baseline, and about 75% the effect of having an ApoE4 allele (the ‘Alzheimer’s gene’). The findings suggest common disease processes that affect both the brain and the kidneys in the elderly, such as underlying vascular problems. Episodic memory is one of the first noticeable symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
The study was published online August 5 in Neurology.   Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/rumc-ikf092809.php 

August 2009

More evidence bypass surgery not responsible for cognitive impairment

A 6-year study of 326 heart patients has found no differences in brain impairment between those who had on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (152 patients), off-pump bypass surgery patients (75 patients), and those who had drugs and arterial stents to keep their blood vessels open instead of bypass surgery (99 patients). However, all of them were found to have experienced significant cognitive decline over the six-year study period on tests of verbal memory, visual memory, visuoconstruction, language, motor speed, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive function, when compared to 69 heart-healthy people who had no known risk factors for coronary artery disease. The findings provide more evidence that it is the disease and not the surgery that causes long-term cognitive problems.
Results of the study were published in the August issue of Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-08/jhmi-itl080309.php

May 2008

Long-term cognitive decline in bypass patients not due to surgery

Another study has come out supporting the view that coronary bypass patients have no greater risk of long-term cognitive decline than patients not undergoing surgery. The study involved 152 patients who had bypass surgery and 92 patients with coronary artery disease who did not have surgical intervention. Patients had memory and other cognitive tests at the beginning of the study period, and after 3, 12, 36 and 72 months. The results showed that there were no significant differences in cognitive scores between the two groups at the beginning of the study. Both groups showed modest decline in cognitive performance during the study period, but there were no significant differences in the degree of decline between the groups after six years. It was suggested that the decline in both groups was related to the presence of risk factors for vascular disease.
The study was published in the May 2008 issue of Annals of Neurology. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/w-lcd051908.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/jhmi-bnt051908.php

February 2008

Stroke risk factors may signal faster cognitive decline in elderly

Analysis of the stroke risks of over 17,000 people aged 45 and older (average 65.9) has found that a higher stroke risk score was associated with a significantly higher rate of cognitive decline. The study also identified three specific risk factors significantly associated with memory loss – high systolic blood pressure, diabetes, and left ventricular hypertrophy.
The findings were reported at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2008.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/aha-srf021408.php

February 2006

Review supports link between lifestyle factors and cognitive function in older adults

A review of 96 papers involving 36 very large, ongoing epidemiological studies in North America and Europe looking at factors involved in maintaining cognitive and emotional health in adults as they age has concluded that controlling cardiovascular risk factors, such as reducing blood pressure, reducing weight, reducing cholesterol, treating (or preferably avoiding) diabetes, and not smoking, is important for maintaining brain health as we age. The link between hypertension and cognitive decline was the most robust across studies. They also found a consistent close correlation between physical activity and brain health. However, they caution that more research is needed before specific recommendations can be made about which types of exercise and how much exercise are beneficial. They also found protective factors most consistently reported for cognitive health included higher education level, higher socio-economic status, emotional support, better initial performance on cognitive tests, better lung capacity, more physical exercise, moderate alcohol use, and use of vitamin supplements. Psychosocial factors, such as social disengagement and depressed mood, are associated with both poorer cognitive and emotional health in late life. Increased mental activity throughout life, such as learning new things, may also benefit brain health.
The review was published in the January issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/aa-nss021606.htm

October 2004

Inflammation associated with higher risk of age-related cognitive impairment

So-called “metabolic syndrome” is characterized most obviously by wide girth about the middle (being “apple-shaped”), as well as by high blood pressure and unhealthy levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose in the blood. The syndrome is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A new study finds the syndrome is also associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment (hardly surprising, since many studies now indicate that cardiovascular risk factors are also risk factors for age-related cognitive impairment). The study tracked 2600 people, average age 74 years, over five years. Some 26% of those with the syndrome showed significant cognitive decline, compared to 21% of those without the syndrome. However, it appears the problem is not the syndrome so much as the high levels of inflammation that can result. About 30% of those with the syndrome plus high levels of inflammatory markers in their bloodstream showed significant cognitive decline. Those with the syndrome but no inflammation showed no increased risk.
The study appeared in the November 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Full reference
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/11/10/MNGOI9P0691.DTL&type=science

May 2003

Recent studies have found a high occurrence of cognitive problems in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery, with such problems still found six weeks after surgery. In a new study comparing 140 patients who underwent bypass surgery and a second group of 92 coronary artery disease patients who did not have surgery, no differences in cognitive abilities were found when patients were re-tested at three and 12 months. This supports recent research suggesting that it is the disease itself that is the major problem, rather than the surgery.
The report appeared in the May issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Full reference
http://www.newswise.com/articles/2003/5/COGNTIVE.JHM.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-05/jhmi-gn050603.htm

March 2003

From around age 60, "white-matter lesions" appear in the brain, significantly affecting cognitive function. But without cognitive data from childhood, it is hard to know how much of the difference in cognitive abilities between elderly individuals is due to aging. A longitudinal study has been made possible by the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932, which gave 11-year-olds a validated cognitive test. Scottish researchers have tracked down healthy living men and women who took part in this Survey and retested 83 participants. Testing took place in 1999, when most participants were 78 years old.
It was found that the amount of white-matter lesions made a significant contribution to general cognitive ability differences in old age, independent of prior ability. The amount of white-matter lesions contributed 14.4% of the variance in cognitive scores; early IQ scores contributed 13.7%. The two factors were independent.
Although white-matter lesions are viewed as a normal part of aging, they are linked with other health problems, in particular to circulatory problems (including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors).
Full text of the article is available at http://www.apa.org/journals/pag/press_releases/march_2003/pag181140.html
The report appeared in the March issue of Psychology and Aging. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-03/apa-aci031703.htm

July 2002

More support for a link between cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and cognitive impairment comes from a new study. In particular, it seems, that attention may be most affected. The study also found evidence of longer-lasting cognitive decline than previously thought. Bypass patients also demonstrated poorer cognitive performance before the surgery, and it is now being suggested that it may be the disease itself that is the major problem, rather than the surgery itself. This is consistent with recent research connecting cardiovascular risk factors with risk factors for cognitive decline.
The study appeared in the July issue of Neuropsychology. Full reference http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-07/apa-lci070802.htm
Full text available at http://www.apa.org/journals/neu/press_releases/july_2002/neu163411.htm

cognitive decline after heart bypass

August 2009

More evidence bypass surgery not responsible for cognitive impairment

A 6-year study of 326 heart patients has found no differences in brain impairment between those who had on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (152 patients), off-pump bypass surgery patients (75 patients), and those who had drugs and arterial stents to keep their blood vessels open instead of bypass surgery (99 patients). However, all of them were found to have experienced significant cognitive decline over the six-year study period on tests of verbal memory, visual memory, visuoconstruction, language, motor speed, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive function, when compared to 69 heart-healthy people who had no known risk factors for coronary artery disease. The findings provide more evidence that it is the disease and not the surgery that causes long-term cognitive problems.
Results of the study were published in the August issue of Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-08/jhmi-itl080309.php

May 2008

Long-term cognitive decline in bypass patients not due to surgery

Another study has come out supporting the view that coronary bypass patients have no greater risk of long-term cognitive decline than patients not undergoing surgery. The study involved 152 patients who had bypass surgery and 92 patients with coronary artery disease who did not have surgical intervention. Patients had memory and other cognitive tests at the beginning of the study period, and after 3, 12, 36 and 72 months. The results showed that there were no significant differences in cognitive scores between the two groups at the beginning of the study. Both groups showed modest decline in cognitive performance during the study period, but there were no significant differences in the degree of decline between the groups after six years. It was suggested that the decline in both groups was related to the presence of risk factors for vascular disease.
The study was published in the May 2008 issue of Annals of Neurology. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/w-lcd051908.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/jhmi-bnt051908.php

May 2007

Inflammatory system genes linked to cognitive decline after heart surgery

The finding that people with variants of two genes involved in the inflammatory system appear to be protected from suffering a decline in mental function following heart surgery raises the possibility that therapy involving drugs known to dampen the inflammatory response may be effective in preventing cognitive decline after heart surgery. The specific genes involved were those for C-reactive protein (which plays an important role in the body’s initial response to injury) and P-selectin (which helps recruit circulating white blood cells to the site of an injury). Patients with the variation of the C-reactive protein gene were 20.6% less likely to suffer mental decline, and patients with the P-selectin variant had a 15.2% risk reduction. The risk of cognitive decline for those with both gene variants was only 17% compared to 43% for patients who had neither variant.
The findings were published online May 1 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-05/dumc-isg043007.htm

February 2007

'Off-pump' CABG surgery appears to have no benefit on cognitive or cardiac outcomes at 5 years

A five-year study of 281 cardiac patients, half of whom received off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery and half on-pump surgery, has found that there was no difference in cognitive performance five years after surgery. The findings suggest that factors other than cardiopulmonary bypass may be responsible for cognitive decline, such as anesthesia and the generalized inflammatory response that is associated with major surgical procedures.
The study was reported in the February 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-02/jaaj-cs021507.htm

January 2006

Cognitive loss following coronary artery bypass surgery due to surgical technique?

A surgical strategy designed to minimize trauma to the body's largest artery – the aorta – during heart bypass surgery can significantly reduce cognitive loss that often follows the operation. The study found that at least 60% of patients showed neurological deficits following bypass surgery, but that at 6 months, 57% of patients who had traditional surgery still had deficits while only 32% of those who didn’t use the heart-lung machine during surgery, and 30% of those who had the new surgical technique still had deficits. Researchers conclude that surgical technique is the primary cause of cognitive decline following bypass surgery.
The report appeared in the January issue of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-01/wfub-ric012006.htm

November 2005

Use of heart pump during bypass surgery not implicated in cognitive decline

A study involving 380 individuals has found that those patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery that used a cardiopulmonary heart pump had no significant differences in their mental functions compared to CABG patients whose surgery did not involve a heart pump. Patients with coronary heart disease all performed lower on cognitive tests than healthy controls, prior to surgery. By three months, both cardiac patients who had undergone surgery (with or without use of a heart pump) and those who had not, had improved cognitive function.
The study was published in the issue of Neurology. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-11/jhmi-hsf110905.htm

April 2005

Review finds bypass surgery free of long-term brain effects for most

A broad retrospective review of the effects of coronary artery bypass surgery on cognitive functions concludes that, although the research confirms the existence of mild deficits in the period up to three months after surgery, the procedure itself probably does not cause late or permanent neurological effects. Rather, they argue, the late cognitive declines seen in some long-term studies are for most people likely associated with progression of underlying conditions such as cerebrovascular disease. However, this is not true for all. The exceptions might include older patients and those with risk factors for cerebrovascular disease or a history of stroke.
The review was published online April 25 in the Annals of Neurology. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/jws-dsb042105.htm

October 2004

Elderly experience long-term cognitive decline after surgery

Researchers have found that two years after major non-cardiac surgery, 42% of elderly patients will have experienced a measurable cognitive decline. 59% of patients experienced cognitive decline immediately after surgery — these are the ones at greatest risk of long-term decline. Three months after surgery, 34% of patients had cognitive declines. The study involved 354 patients, with an average age of 69.5 years.
The study was presented on October 26 at the annual scientific sessions of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Las Vegas.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-10/dumc-eel102204.htm

April 2004

Lower temperatures improve outcomes after bypass surgery

One of the possible adverse effects of cardiac bypass surgery is cognitive decline. Researchers have found that patients who were allowed an additional 10 to 12 minutes to return to normal body temperature after surgery scored almost one-third better on standard tests of cognition six weeks after surgery. (In order to protect the brain and other organs from damage while the heart is stopped during surgery, physicians cool a patient's blood as it passes through a heart-lung machine. However, toward the end of the operation, this blood needs to be rewarmed.)
The results were presented by Hilary Grocott on April 26 at the annual scientific sessions of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-04/dumc-lti042004.htm

May 2003

Recent studies have found a high occurrence of cognitive problems in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery, with such problems still found six weeks after surgery. In a new study comparing 140 patients who underwent bypass surgery and a second group of 92 coronary artery disease patients who did not have surgery, no differences in cognitive abilities were found when patients were re-tested at three and 12 months. This supports recent research suggesting that it is the disease itself that is the major problem, rather than the surgery.
The report appeared in the May issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Full reference
http://www.newswise.com/articles/2003/5/COGNTIVE.JHM.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-05/jhmi-gn050603.htm

February 2003

Older patients with lowered immunity to certain common bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract are more likely than younger patients to suffer cognitive decline after coronary artery bypass surgery.
The report appeared in the February issue of Stroke. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-02/dumc-lip020303.htm

July 2002

More support for a link between cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and cognitive impairment comes from a new study. In particular, it seems, that attention may be most affected. The study also found evidence of longer-lasting cognitive decline than previously thought. Bypass patients also demonstrated poorer cognitive performance before the surgery, and it is now being suggested that it may be the disease itself that is the major problem, rather than the surgery itself. This is consistent with recent research connecting cardiovascular risk factors with risk factors for cognitive decline.
The study appeared in the July issue of Neuropsychology. Full reference http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-07/apa-lci070802.htm
Full text available at http://www.apa.org/journals/neu/press_releases/july_2002/neu163411.html

February 2002

Elevated temperatures within 8-10 hours after surgery are often seen in patients who have undergone coronary bypass surgery. This has not however been regarded as anything other than a nuisance. Many bypass patients also suffer measurable cognitive decline. A new study reports on a relationship between these fevers and cognitive decline six weeks following surgery. Patients who suffered the highest post-operative temperatures also suffered the highest amount of cognitive decline.
The study was published in the February 1 issue of Stroke. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-01/dumc-fia012802.htm

Researchers have found an association between nerve cell changes associated with aging and the presence of a variation of the apolipoprotein gene known as apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4). This form is carried by approximately 25% of the population and has been linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease and memory loss after head injury or bypass surgery.
The findings were presented at the 15th annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry in Orlando, Florida.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-02/dumc-glt022502.htm

February 2001

Heart bypasses are becoming increasingly common - in the U.S., more than half a million people undergo coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) each year. A common side-effect of the procedure is postoperative cognitive decline (frequency of occurrence estimates range from 33% to 82%, depending on the method of evaluation used). A recent study looked at the longer-term picture: in this study, cognitive decline was found in 53% of the patients at time of discharge; at 6 weeks, the rate was assessed at 36%; at 6 months, 24%. However, five years after the surgery the rate of cognitive decline was 42%. Older age, a lower level of education, a higher preoperative score for cognitive function, and the presence of cognitive decline at discharge were all predictors of cognitive decline at 5 years after CABG. Of these, the most significant predictor was a decline in cognition seen at discharge.
Note that there was no control group, so these results must be treated with caution. Note also that short-term declines in cognitive function are also reported in elderly subjects after non-cardiac surgery, and this can persist in a proportion of these patients - in fact, in 10% after 2 years.
The report was published in the Feb. 8 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-02/DUMC-Cdab-0602101.htm

Return to top

high blood pressure

August 2009

High blood pressure linked to memory problems in middle age

A study involving nearly 20,000 people age 45 and older, of whom nearly half were taking medication for high blood pressure, has found that those with high diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number of a blood pressure reading) were more likely to have cognitive impairment than those with normal diastolic readings. For every 10 point increase in the reading, the odds of a person having cognitive problems was 7% higher. There was no correlation with systolic blood pressure. The results were adjusted for age, smoking status, exercise level, education, diabetes and high cholesterol. High diastolic blood pressure is known to lead to weakening of small arteries in the brain.
The research was published in the August 25 issue of Neurology. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-08/aaon-hbp081809.php

July 2009

A diet that may reduce age-related cognitive decline

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet lowers blood pressure and is often recommended by physicians to people with high blood pressure or pre-hypertension. An 11-year study of over 3800 seniors found that those with higher DASH diet adherence scores had higher cognitive scores at the beginning of the study and increasingly so over time. Four of the nine food-group/nutrient components were independently associated with cognitive scores -- vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, nut/legumes. When a score based on just these four components was used, the difference between those in the highest quintile and those in the lowest was even greater, particularly by the end of the study.  Full reference

June 2009

Factors helping you maintain cognitive function in old age

An 8-year study of over 2,500 seniors in their 70s, has found that 53% showed normal age-related decline, 16% showed major cognitive decline, and an encouraging 30% had no change or improved on the tests over the years. The most important factors in determining whether a person maintained their cognitive health was education and literacy: those with a ninth grade literacy level or higher were nearly five times as likely to stay sharp than those with lower literacy levels; those with at least a high school education were nearly three times as likely to stay sharp as those who have less education. Lifestyle factors were also significant: non-smokers were nearly twice as likely to stay sharp as smokers; those who exercised moderately to vigorously at least once a week were 30% more likely to maintain their cognitive function than those who do not exercise that often; people working or volunteering and people who report living with someone were 24% more likely to maintain cognitive function.
The research was published in the June 9 issue of Neurology. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-06/aaon-ssn060209.php

December 2008

High blood pressure may make it difficult for the elderly to think clearly

A study involving 36 community-dwelling elderly (60-87 years old) whose blood pressure and cognitive functioning was monitored for 60 days has found that those with high blood pressure tended to perform more poorly on one of the three cognitive tasks, and this was particularly so when their blood pressure was higher than normal. The finding suggests that high blood pressure impacts on inductive reasoning, and thus the ability to work flexibly with unfamiliar information and find solutions. It also suggests that, for those with high blood pressure, such reasoning will be particularly difficult when they are stressed.
The study was published December 15 in Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Science.  Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-12/ncsu-hbp121008.php

December 2007

High blood pressure associated with risk for mild cognitive impairment

A study of nearly 1000 older adults (average age 76.3) without mild cognitive impairment at the start of the study found that over the follow-up period (average: 4.7 years), 334 individuals developed mild cognitive impairment, of which 160 were amnestic (reduced memory) and 174 were non-amnestic. Hypertension (high blood pressure) was associated with an increased risk of non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment; but not with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
The report appeared in the December issue of Archives of Neurology.  Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-12/jaaj-hbp120607.php

September 2007

Memory tasks require more coordinated brain blood flow for people with high blood pressure

Previous studies have found an association between high blood pressure and cognitive decline in older adults, but the evidence hasn’t been entirely consistent. Now a new study helps explain why the situation is not entirely straightforward. It appears that people with high blood pressure required more blood flow to the parts of the brain that support memory function than those with normal blood pressure. Moreover, and surprisingly, it turned out that antihypertensive medication actually made it worse, increasing the inefficiency of the brain’s work during memory tasks.
The findings were reported at the American Heart Association’s 61st Annual Fall Conference of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-09/aha-mtr092707.php

May 2006

Lowering blood pressure doesn't prevent cognitive impairment, dementia

A review of three large-scale studies of patients with hypertension who were treated with either medication or lifestyle strategies found no convincing evidence that lowering blood pressure prevents the development of dementia or cognitive impairment in hypertensive patients without apparent prior cerebrovascular disease. However, there is some evidence that midlife hypertension but not late life hypertension is related to cognitive decline; these studies involved patients aged 60 and older.
The review appeared in the current issue of The Cochrane Library. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-05/cfta-lbp052306.htm

February 2006

Review supports link between lifestyle factors and cognitive function in older adults

A review of 96 papers involving 36 very large, ongoing epidemiological studies in North America and Europe looking at factors involved in maintaining cognitive and emotional health in adults as they age has concluded that controlling cardiovascular risk factors, such as reducing blood pressure, reducing weight, reducing cholesterol, treating (or preferably avoiding) diabetes, and not smoking, is important for maintaining brain health as we age. The link between hypertension and cognitive decline was the most robust across studies. They also found a consistent close correlation between physical activity and brain health. However, they caution that more research is needed before specific recommendations can be made about which types of exercise and how much exercise are beneficial. They also found protective factors most consistently reported for cognitive health included higher education level, higher socio-economic status, emotional support, better initial performance on cognitive tests, better lung capacity, more physical exercise, moderate alcohol use, and use of vitamin supplements. Psychosocial factors, such as social disengagement and depressed mood, are associated with both poorer cognitive and emotional health in late life. Increased mental activity throughout life, such as learning new things, may also benefit brain health.
The review was published in the January issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/aa-nss021606.htm

December 2005

Uncontrolled high blood pressure means more cognitive problems in old age

A study involving a subset of men (average age 67 years) in the VA Normative Aging Study has found that those men with uncontrolled hypertension performed significantly worse on tests of verbal fluency and short-term memory. Those whose hypertension was controlled did as well as those with normal blood pressure. In the United States, hypertension affects 60% of adults age 60 and older, and a high proportion of these are untreated or inadequately treated.
The study appeared in the November issue of Neuropsychology. Full reference
Full text is available at http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/neu196770.pdf
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-12/apa-uhb113005.htm

September 2005

High blood pressure has stronger effect on cognitive function in African-Americans

Analysis of a large longitudinal study (the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study 1976—2002) has found significant associations of high blood pressure to lower cognitive performance in the areas of abstract reasoning, psychomotor skills and visual organization skills. This association, moreover, was significantly greater for African-Americans, although it should be noted that there were only 147 African-Americans among the 1,563 participants. The effect was independent of age.
The report appeared in the September/October issue of Psychosomatic Medicine. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-09/cfta-hbp092205.htm

September 2003

High blood pressure may be a factor in "senior moments"

An imaging study of seniors (average age 60) found that those with high blood pressure showed reduced blood flow to active brain areas when performing various everyday memory tasks, such as looking up a phone number then walking to another room to pick up the phone and dial the number. The diminished blood flow correlated to slightly worse scores on the memory tests. The differences weren’t large, but may help account for "senior moments" - memory problems commonly associated with age. It’s estimated that as many as a third of those with high blood pressure are not aware they have it.
Reported at the American Heart Association's 57th Annual High Blood Pressure Research Conference, September 23. Reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-09/aha-hbp091703.htm
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3015552

Effects of high blood pressure on cognition may have been overstated

Epidemiological studies have suggested hypertensive patients perform worse than individuals with normal blood pressure on cognition tests. A new study has investigated performance on specific cognitive tasks (visual and memory search involving computer displays) by those with high blood pressure who were not on medication and had no detectable cardiovascular disease. Participants ranged in age from 20 to 80. Contrary to expectation, high blood pressure slowed performance only in the middle-aged group (40-59), not in those younger or older.
The results were published in the September issue of Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-09/dumc-hbp092503.htm

May 2003

Treatment to lower blood pressure reduces risk of cognitive decline in stroke patients

High blood pressure and stroke are associated with increased risks of dementia and cognitive impairment. In a study aimed to determine whether blood pressure lowering would reduce the risks of dementia and cognitive decline among individuals with cerebrovascular disease, 6105 people with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack were given either active treatment (perindopril for all participants and indapamide for those with neither an indication for nor a contraindication to a diuretic) or matching placebo(s). Over some 4 years, dementia was found in 6.3% of those given active treatment and 7.1% of those in the placebo group. Cognitive decline occurred in 9.1% of the actively treated group and 11.0% of the placebo group. The researchers concluded that blood pressure lowering with perindopril and indapamide therapy was helpful for those with cerebrovascular disease, in terms of reduced risks of dementia and cognitive decline.
The study was published in the May 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Full reference
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/163/9/1069

March 2003

From around age 60, "white-matter lesions" appear in the brain, significantly affecting cognitive function. But without cognitive data from childhood, it is hard to know how much of the difference in cognitive abilities between elderly individuals is due to aging. A longitudinal study has been made possible by the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932, which gave 11-year-olds a validated cognitive test. Scottish researchers have tracked down healthy living men and women who took part in this Survey and retested 83 participants. Testing took place in 1999, when most participants were 78 years old.
It was found that the amount of white-matter lesions made a significant contribution to general cognitive ability differences in old age, independent of prior ability. The amount of white-matter lesions contributed 14.4% of the variance in cognitive scores; early IQ scores contributed 13.7%. The two factors were independent.
Although white-matter lesions are viewed as a normal part of aging, they are linked with other health problems, in particular to circulatory problems (including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors).
Full text of the article is available at http://www.apa.org/journals/pag/press_releases/march_2003/pag181140.html
The report appeared in the March issue of Psychology and Aging. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-03/apa-aci031703.htm

August 2002

Research in rats has found that linoleic acid improved not only blood pressure, but also hypertension-induced memory decline, suggesting that the early incorporation of linoleic acid in the diet, may not only help in controlling hypertension, but may also improve hypertension-induced cognitive impairment. Linoleic acid is found in vegetable seed oils, such as safflower, sunflower, and hemp seed.
The findings were presented at an American Physiological Society (APS) intersociety meeting. Full reference
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-08/aps-mk082602.htm

January 2001

A large-scale six-year study of people aged 40 to 70 years old found that people with diabetes and high blood pressure are more likely to experience cognitive decline. Diabetes was associated with greater cognitive decline for those younger than 58 as well as those older than 58, but high blood pressure was a risk factor only for the 58 and older group.
The study was published in the January 9 issue of Neurology.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-01/MC-Nsld-0701101.htm
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-01/AAoN-Dahb-0801101.htm

December 1999

A large-scale study of French people aged 59 to 71 found that, after four years, 21.7% of those with untreated high blood pressure experienced severe cognitive decline. Of those with high blood pressure whose treatment didn't bring the blood pressure down to normal, 12.5% had severe cognitive decline. Of those whose high blood pressure was successfully treated, 7.8% had severe cognitive decline. Only 7.3% of those with normal blood pressure had severe cognitive decline.
The study appeared in the December 10 issue of Neurology.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/1999-12/AAoN-Hbpi-091299.htm

Return to top