ARE COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND BLOOD-PRESSURE RELATED

In this article, we look at the literature concerning the relationship between blood pressure and cognitive function. If untreated, hyperten sion leads to stroke or cerebral infarction, and may therefore increas e the risk of dementi a or cognitive impairment. Patients with hyperte nsion perform less well in some, but not all, cognitive tasks compared with normotensive individuals, even in the absence of overt stroke. T he mechanisms underlying hypertension-related cognitive changes are co mplex and are not yet fully understood. Antihypertensive drug therapy may prevent cognitive decline, but no longitudinal studies have been p erformed to verify this in the general population. The relationship be tween blood pressure and cognition may be more complicated in the very old than in other age groups.