The psychophysiology of chronic hypotension

Duschek, S.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Chronic low blood pressure is typically accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, reduced drive, dizziness, headaches and cold limbs which can have considerable impact on personal well-being and quality of life. Our studies have furthermore provided evidence of reduced cognitive performance in hypotension, particularly in the domains of attention and memory. EEG studies have shown diminished cortical activity. Contrary to convention, our recent research has suggested a deficient regulation of cerebral blood flow in hypotension. In addition to reduced tonic brain perfusion, we demonstrated insufficient adjustment of blood flow to cognitive requirements. Pharmacological blood pressure elevation proved effective in reducing the deficits both in cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive performance. Altogether, these findings suggest that more attention should be allocated to chronic hypotension in both research and clinical practice. At the level of basic research, hypotension proved to be an efficient model for the investigation of relationships between hemodynamic factors, cerebral blood flow and cognition.

Symposium 28: Cardiovascular psychophysiology
13.06.2009, 09:00-10:15
Seminarraum 10