Hypertension as a Major Risk Factor in Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms, Interactions and Therapeutic Perspectives - PubMed
7 hours ago
- #Alzheimer's disease
- #hypertension
- #neurodegeneration
- Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), impacting cognitive impairment in later life.
- Chronic high blood pressure accelerates neurodegenerative processes by impairing amyloid-β clearance, promoting tau pathology, and causing microvascular damage.
- Midlife HTN is a strong predictor of late-life dementia due to mechanisms like endothelial dysfunction, BBB disruption, and decreased cerebral perfusion.
- HTN is linked to tau burden, neuronal death, and brain atrophy, even with continuous amyloid deposition.
- Experimental evidence shows HTN enhances Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, and small vessel disease, supporting the vascular theory of AD.
- Antihypertensive medications, especially those targeting the renin-angiotensin system, show neuroprotective benefits and may reduce dementia prevalence.
- Controlling blood pressure throughout life could significantly lower global dementia incidence.
- Early detection and continuous blood pressure management are practical preventive measures against AD-related neurodegeneration.