Evidence for a Detrimental Relationship Between Hypertension History, Prospective Memory, and Prefrontal Cortex White Matter in Cognitively-Normal Older Adults

• Authors: Michael K. Scullin, Emory University; Brian A. Gordon, Washington University in St. Louis; Jill Talley Shelton, Washington University in St. Louis; Ji hae Lee, Washington University in St. Louis; Denise Head, Washington University in St. Louis; Mark A. McDaniel, Washington University in St. Louis
• Journal Title: Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience
• Volume: Volume 13, Number 2
• Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany) | 2013-06, Pages 405-416
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.3758/s13415-013-0152-z
• Subjects: Biology, Neuroscience; Health Sciences, General; Psychology, Cognitive

Abstract

Hypertension affects many older adults and is associated with impaired neural and cognitive functioning. We investigated whether a history of hypertension was associated with impairments to prospective memory, which refers to the ability to remember to perform delayed intentions such as remembering to take medication. Thirty-two cognitively-normal older adult participants with or without a history of hypertension (self-reported) performed two laboratory prospective memory tasks, one that relies more strongly on executive control (nonfocal prospective memory) and one that relies more strongly on spontaneous memory retrieval processes (focal prospective memory). We observed hypertension-related impairments for nonfocal, but not focal, prospective memory. To complement our behavioral approach, we conducted a retrospective analysis of available structural magnetic resonance imaging data. Lower white matter volume estimates in the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) were associated with lower nonfocal prospective memory and with a history of hypertension. A history of hypertension may be associated with worsened executive control and lower prefrontal white matter volume. The translational implication is that individuals who must remember to take antihypertensive medications and to monitor their blood pressure at home may be impaired in the executive control process that helps to support these prospective memory behaviors.