Bocti C, et al. - In this study, the relationship between orthostatic hypotension and cognitive functions was assessed. As per findings, there appeared a correlation of orthostatic hypotension prevalence with severity of cognitive deficits in a Memory Clinic. In mild cognitive impairment (MCI), orthostatic hypotension (OH) seemed associated with reduced performance in executive functions. It seems that OH could represent an under-recognized correlate of cognitive performance.

Methods

• Authors included consecutive participants with complete neuropsychological evaluation from a Memory Clinic.
• For this study, they defined orthostatic hypotension (OH) by a fall≥0/10 mmHg systolic/diastolic pressure.
• The participants were classified into 3 groups:
• 1) subjective cognitive impairment (SCI),
• 2) mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and
• 3) dementia.
• Analysis of neuropsychological tests was performed for patients with and without OH.

Results

• This study included 120 participants; 16 (13%) were classified as SCI, 42 (35%) as MCI, and 63 (52%) with dementia.
• Prevalence of OH for the SCI group was 0%, for the MCI group was 26% (n = 11), and for the dementia group was 38% (n = 24).
• The groups with or without OH did not differ regarding age, sex, education, and brief cognitive test scores (MMSE & MoCA).
• The MCI group indicated an association of OH with lower cognitive performance in several executive functions tests: visual working memory (p < 0.001), processing speed (p = 0.006), Stroop flexibility (p = 0.030) and Trail-Making Test part B (p = 0.024).
• No difference in episodic memory performance was identified.
• In this study, OH was associated with a diagnosis of hypertension and the use of antihypertensive medication.
• There appeared no differences in vascular brain injury between groups with and without OH.