White matter changes underlie hypertension-related cognitive decline in older adults

Hypertension has been well recognized as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. Although the underlying mechanisms of hypertension-affected cognitive deterioration are not fully understood, white matter changes (WMCs) seem to play an important role. WMCs include low microstructural integrity and subsequent white matter macrostructural lesions, which are common on brain imaging in hypertensive patients and are critical for multiple cognitive domains. This article provides an overview of the impact of hypertension on white matter microstructural and macrostructural changes and its link to cognitive dysfunction. Hypertension may induce microstructural changes in white matter, especially for the long-range fibers such as anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), and then macrostructural abnormalities affecting different lobes, especially the periventricular area. Different regions’ WMCs would further exert different effects to specific cognitive domains and accelerate brain aging. As a modifiable risk factor, hypertension might provide a new perspective for alleviating and delaying cognitive impairment.