What's Happening?
A study conducted by Weill Cornell Medicine has found that hypertension can cause damage to the brain's blood vessels, neurons, and white matter before blood pressure levels become detectable. Published
in Neuron, the research highlights early shifts in gene expression within brain cells, which may impair cognitive functions such as thinking and memory. The study used angiotensin to model hypertension in mice, revealing significant gene expression changes in endothelial cells, interneurons, and oligodendrocytes within three days of induced hypertension. These changes resemble early patterns seen in cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that hypertension-related brain damage may occur independently of elevated blood pressure, challenging the effectiveness of common hypertension medications in protecting cognitive health.
Why It's Important?
The findings underscore the potential for early intervention in hypertension to prevent cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Hypertension is a known risk factor for cognitive impairment, yet the biological mechanisms have remained unclear. This study provides insights into how hypertension affects brain health at a cellular level, offering a pathway for developing treatments that could simultaneously manage blood pressure and protect cognitive functions. The research also highlights the importance of exploring medications like losartan, which showed potential in reversing early hypertension-related damage in mice. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to more effective strategies for preventing long-term cognitive consequences associated with hypertension.
What's Next?
Weill Cornell researchers are continuing to study the accelerated aging of small blood vessels caused by hypertension and its impact on brain cells. The goal is to identify strategies to prevent or reverse cognitive decline associated with hypertension. Further research may focus on developing treatments that target the early cellular changes identified in the study, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches for managing hypertension and protecting brain health.
