The effect of visit-to-visit blood pressure variability on cognitive function: state-of the-art

Abstract

Visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability (VVV) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and cognitive decline, but several studies have recently shown that VVV also increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the relationship between VVV and AD has been extensively studied, its pathophysiology is instructive due to its association with vascular stiffness, cerebral circulatory failure, decreased cardiac function, and AD pathology such as amyloid β and tau-proteins. This review article focuses on the relationship between VVV and cognitive function and summarizes recent studies and the underlying pathophysiology that appears to be mediated by systemic hemodynamic disruption.