Recent research has linked high blood pressure to specific brain changes that can raise the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. These findings were summarized by the European Society of Cardiology, highlighting the brain regions most affected by elevated blood pressure and the potential implications for brain health.
High blood pressure is highly prevalent, impacting about 30% of people worldwide. Clinicians have long observed an association between hypertension and reduced brain function, along with a higher risk of dementia. Yet the precise mechanisms and the exact brain areas involved have remained unclear.
To pinpoint these mechanisms, researchers led by Tomas Guzik at the University of Edinburgh conducted a large-scale analysis that integrated brain MRI data, genetic information, and comprehensive health records from more than 30,000 participants in a British Biobank study. A key element of the study was the Mendelian randomization approach, which leverages genetic variation to assess whether a true causal link exists between blood pressure and brain changes, rather than a coincidental association.
The study identified changes in nine brain regions that correlated with higher blood pressure and signs of cognitive decline. Among these regions is the putamen, a round structure at the base of the brain’s frontal region that plays a role in movement control and various learning processes. The analysis also highlighted disruptions in the anterior thalamic tract, the front portion of the corona radiata, and the anterior segment of the internal capsule. Each of these pathways is involved in transmitting signals across different brain networks, and their impairment can influence everyday cognitive tasks.
Alterations in these areas were associated with measurable reductions in overall brain volume, a decrease in cortical surface area, weaker connectivity between disparate brain regions, and shifts in activity patterns that can reflect diminished neural efficiency. Taken together, these findings map a clearer path from high blood pressure to brain structure and function changes, underscoring the potential for targeted strategies to protect cognitive health in individuals with hypertension.
Researchers emphasize that understanding the specific brain regions affected by high blood pressure opens doors to preventive approaches. By focusing on vascular health and early intervention, medical professionals may be able to slow or mitigate the course of cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia in at-risk populations. The work also highlights the value of combining imaging, genetics, and real-world health data to uncover how cardiovascular factors influence brain aging, informing future research and clinical practice.
In the broader context, these insights reinforce the importance of monitoring blood pressure from an early age and maintaining vascular health as a cornerstone of long-term brain integrity. While more studies are needed to translate these findings into routine care, the evidence supports ongoing public health attention to hypertension as a modifiable factor in cognitive health and dementia prevention.