A study by University of Pittsburgh and UPMC researcher-clinicians has uncovered a connection between pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cognitive decline. The research team conducted a multimodal investigation involving brain MRI studies, blood-based molecular profiling, and functional studies in mouse models, linking specific brain abnormalities in PH to inflammatory processes affecting both the lungs and heart. The findings suggest that cognitive decline may also be present in other vascular and inflammatory conditions beyond PH.
Patients with PH exhibited significant brain tissue loss and weakened communication between the cerebellum and frontal lobe, areas crucial for memory and attention. These brain changes were not observed in individuals with other heart or lung diseases, indicating their specificity to PH. The study also identified a genetic variant in the NCOA7 gene, which is associated with inflammation and cognitive impairment in PH patients.
Current guidelines for managing PH do not include cognitive screening, highlighting a gap in care. The study suggests that inflammation could be a therapeutic target for preserving brain function, potentially leading to new diagnostic and prognostic strategies.
Source: genengnews.com · Image: Brain Tumor MRI, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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