Decreased gray matter volume in the right middle temporal gyrus associated with cognitive dysfunction in preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension

Abstract

IntroductionThe effects of preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension (CHTN-PE) on the structure and function of the human brain are mostly unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine altered gray matter volume (GMV) and its correlation with cognitive function in pregnant healthy women, healthy non-pregnant individuals, and CHTN-PE patients.MethodsTwenty-five CHTN-PE patients, thirty-five pregnant healthy controls (PHC) and thirty-five non-pregnant healthy controls (NPHC) were included in this study and underwent cognitive assessment testing. A voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approach was applied to investigate variations in brain GMV among the three groups. Pearson’s correlations between mean GMV and the Stroop color-word test (SCWT) scores were calculated.ResultsCompared with the NPHC group, the PHC and CHTN-PE groups showed significantly decreased GMV in a cluster of the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), and the GMV decrease was more significant in the CHTN-PE group. There were significant differences in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Stroop word scores among the three groups. Notably, the mean GMV values in the right MTG cluster were not only significantly negatively correlated with Stroop word and Stroop color scores but also significantly distinguished CHTN-PE patients from the NPHC and PHC groups in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.DiscussionPregnancy may cause a decrease in local GMV in the right MTG, and the GMV decrease is more significant in CHTN-PE patients. The right MTG affects multiple cognitive functions, and combined with the SCWT scores, it may explain the decline in speech motor function and cognitive flexibility in CHTN-PE patients.

Microenvironment changes in basal ganglia region correlates with hypertension at 7T MRI

“…This is consistent with previous studies and may be related to the damage or death of basal ganglia nerve cells caused by insufficient blood supply, oxidative stress and inflammation caused by hypertension. 25,26 In addition, previous studies have found that both the volume of BG are found to decrease with age in healthy volunteers. 27,28 In this study, we found that this phenomenon is not only in healthy people, but also in patients with high blood pressure.…”

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Autonomic Dysfunction: Impact On Preeclampsia Risk

“…In this study, in comparison to the Non preeclamptic group, the Grey Matter Volume in a cluster of the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) was significantly reduced in the Preeclamptic groups. 14 The extent to which autonomic dysfunction leads to brain alterations following pregnancy is yet unknown. 2020), it was shown that pregnant women who had both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and autonomic dysfunction had a notably greater occurrence of preeclampsia compared to those who had just one of these conditions.…”