A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals that hypertension damages brain blood vessels, neurons, and white matter before causing measurable blood pressure increases. Researchers found that within just three days of inducing hypertension in mice, endothelial cells lining blood vessels aged prematurely, interneurons became damaged, and oligodendrocytes that maintain myelin sheaths showed impaired gene expression—all occurring before blood pressure rose. These early cellular changes help explain why hypertension increases the risk of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease by 1.2 to 1.5-fold. The study demonstrated that losartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, reversed these early effects on endothelial cells and interneurons in mice, suggesting that targeting angiotensin receptors may protect cognitive function beyond simply lowering blood pressure. These findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing cognitive decline in people with hypertension.
Welcome to Our Weekly Magazine
Become the best version of yourself Sign-up for our weekly magazine.
Become the best version of yourself today.
We send a weekly roundup of our best work and highlight standout community members. It's free, and you can always leave if it's not your jam.
Hypertension Affects the Brain Before Expected
See medical disclaimer below.
The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.