Hypertension and neuropsychological function: a lifespan perspective.
This article explores the relationship of hypertension to neuropsychological performance from a lifespan perspective. First, I examine cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of neuropsychological performance in cohorts of young to middle-aged hypertensive patients (ages 20-60); older hypertensive patients (ages 60-80+); and the young, normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents (ages 18-25). The pattern of performance deficits associated with hypertension is generally found to differ from that related to hypertension risk. Next, I discuss potential mechanisms underlying hypertension-performance relationships in the aforementioned cohorts. I suggest that lowered levels of performance in the offspring of hypertensives reflect genetic risk for hypertension. Compromised neuropsychological function in young and middle-aged hypertensives may occur secondary to alterations in neurophysiological function that result from elevated blood pressure. Such neurophysiological changes may predispose to neuroanatomical changes in older hypertensive patients.
Waldstein
S R
SR
Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County 21228-5398, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001037:Aphasia; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012598:Sclerosis; D003294:Seizures, Febrile; D013494:Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive