FAMILY HISTORY OF HYPERTENSION INFLUENCES NEUROBEHAVIORAL FUNCTION INHYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

This study examined the influence of family history of hypertension on neurobehavioral performance. Sixty-two hypertensive men and women who reported a family history of hypertension (+FH) were compared with 28 hypertensive individuals without a family history (-FH) and 32 normot ensive control subjects. A neurocognitive test battery that included t ests of information processing, verbal memory, and figural memory was administered individually to each patient. Results showed that +FH, co mpared with -FK and normotensive control subjects, was associated with poorer performance on three tests of attention and short-term memory (Sternberg reaction time, Trails B, and Digit Span). There were no dif ferences between the groups on tests of either verbal or figural. memo ry. Other variables, including gender, ethnicity, age, years of educat ion, blood pressure, state anxiety, depression, and Type A behavior di d not account for these results. In addition, +FH hypertensive subject s reported greater levels of state anxiety and depression compared wit h -FH hypertensive subjects and normotensive control subjects. The fin dings suggest a genetic link to impaired cognitive abilities, as obser ved among hypertensive patients relative to their normotensive counter parts.