Functional MRI in hypertension – A systematic review of brain connectivity, regional activity, and cognitive impairment

Hypertension is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to cognitive decline and brain structure and function alterations. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) provides a non-invasive means to detect early disruptions in neural networks before clinical symptoms of cognitive impairment emerge. This systematic review explored the application of fMRI in assessing brain functional changes and cognitive performance in individuals with hypertension. A comprehensive search of electronic databases identified eight relevant studies, most of which employed resting-state fMRI techniques. Findings majorly demonstrated that hypertension is associated with altered connectivity within key neural networks, including the default mode network, frontoparietal network, and salience network. Additional observations included reduced regional homogeneity and changes in low-frequency fluctuations. These neural alterations were linked to decreased memory, executive function, and attention. While the findings support the potential of fMRI as an early biomarker for hypertension-related cognitive impairment, the evidence remains limited by the small number of studies and geographic concentration. Nonetheless, fMRI holds promise for clinical application in identifying individuals at risk and guiding timely interventions. Additional longitudinal studies with broader geographic representation are necessary to confirm these insights and facilitate the integration of fMRI into the routine evaluation and management of hypertension-related brain alterations.