Investigating the association between human brainstem microstructural integrity and hypertension using magnetic resonance relaxometry.

ABSTRACT: The brainstem plays a vital role in regulating blood pressure, and disruptions to its neural pathways have been linked to hypertension. However, it remains unclear whether subtle microstructural changes in the brainstem are associated with an individual's blood pressure status. This exploratory, cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between brainstem microstructure, myelination, and hypertensive status in 116 cognitively unimpaired adults (aged 22-94 years). Advanced MRI techniques, including relaxometry (R1, R2) and myelin water fraction (MWF) analysis, were employed to assess microstructural integrity and myelin content in ten brainstem subregions. Our results revealed significant associations between higher microstructural damage or lower myelin content (indicated by lower

SUBMITTER: Laporte JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11972960 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature