Assessment of Cognitive Performance of Hypertensives with Mini-cog and Audio-visual Reaction Time.

BACKGROUND: It is hypothesized that long-term hypertension might be associated with cognitive decline.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed at finding out whether persistently elevated blood pressure affects the processing capability of the central nervous system.

METHODS: The cognitive functions of 62 male subjects with age ranging from 40 to 60 years forming various groups as normotensives and hypertensives were assessed through Mini-Cog and audio-visual reaction time. Mini-Cog involved Clock Drawing Test and Three Item Recall Test (mini recall test). Both these tests were scored as per standard methods to find out whether the cognition was normal or abnormal. The auditory and visual reaction times were measured by the "Response Analyzer" device.

RESULTS: The clock drawing test and the three item-recall tests were significantly abnormal in hypertensives. Also, both auditory and visual reaction times were significantly delayed in hypertensives as compared to that of controls.

CONCLUSION: The impairment of the cognitive function 1 hypertensives as reflected by the changes in the Mini-Cog and audio-visual reaction times might be due to structural and functional changes in various areas of brain involved in perceptual motor coordination.