Evidence of neurodegeneration in individuals with only mildly elevated blood pressure. Issue 12 (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jung, Susanne; Bosch, Agnes; Kohler, Nikolas; Ott, Christian; Kannenkeril, Dennis; Dienemann, Thomas; Harazny, Joanna M.; Michelson, Georg; Schmieder, Roland E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 37:Issue 12(2019:Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: blood pressure -- grade 1 hypertension -- low cardiovascular risk -- neurodegeneration -- optical coherence tomography -- retina; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000002164
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Initiation of antihypertensive drug treatment in low-risk individuals with grade 1 hypertension is under debate. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of mildly elevated blood pressure (BP) on early neurodegenerative processes independent of ageing. Methods: Sixty-two individuals were included in this study: 25 young (aged <40 years) and 37 older (aged ≥40 years) individuals at low cardiovascular risk and grade 1 hypertension at most. Macular retinal layer volumes of both eyes were determined by SD-OCT. Total retinal volume but also each inner retinal layer volume separately including retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and GCL-IPL were measured in each individual. Results: Retinal layer volumes were lower among older individuals compared with young individuals (RNFL right eye: P = 0.037/left eye: P = 0.021; GCL and GCL-IPL: both eyes P < 0.001; IPL right eye: P = 0.005/left eye: P = 0.002; total retinal volume: both eyes P = 0.002) and there was an inverse correlation between retinal layer volumes and age. Partial correlation analysis, excluding age as a cofactor, revealed an inverse association between retinal layer volumes and DBP. In multiple regression analysis, DBP was identified as a determinant of retinal neurodegenerative processes. Conclusion: In the current study, we observed an inverse association between retinal neurodegenerative processes and DBP, suggesting that BP-lowering therapy by early antihypertensive drug-treatment might be beneficial to avoid early neurodegeneration.