Publication
Title
Orthostatic hypotension in older persons is not associated with cognitive functioning, features of cerebral damage or cerebral blood flow
Author
Abstract
Objective:Particularly in old age, orthostatic hypotension has been related to worse cognitive functioning, possibly caused by reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study investigates whether orthostatic hypotension in older people is associated with cognitive dysfunction and, if so, whether this association is mediated by cerebral vascular damage and/or decreased CBF.Methods:Four hundred and twenty participants of the Discontinuation of ANtihypertensive Treatment in Elderly People (DANTE) Study Leiden (mean age 81 years, all using antihypertensive medication and with mild cognitive deficits), and MRI data from 214 participants of the nested DANTE MRI sub-study. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as either a SBP decrease at least 20mmHg and/or a DBP decrease of at least 10mmHg within 3min of standing up. Cognitive functioning was assessed using a battery of six cognitive tests covering global cognition, memory function, executive function and psychomotor speed. Cerebral vascular damage and CBF were assessed using MRI.Results:The prevalence of orthostatic hypotension was 47% (n=199). Compared with the group without orthostatic hypotension, participants with orthostatic hypotension showed no differences in any of the cognitive functions, features of cerebral small vessel disease, microstructural integrity or CBF.Conclusion:In this population of older persons, the presence of orthostatic hypotension was not associated with decreased cognition. In addition, no differences were found in the supposedly underlying cerebral vascular mechanisms.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of hypertension. - London
Publication
London : 2018
ISSN
0263-6352
DOI
10.1097/HJH.0000000000001681
Volume/pages
36 :5 (2018) , p. 1201-1206
ISI
000429441700030
Pubmed ID
29373479
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.05.2018
Last edited 02.10.2024
To cite this reference