Abstract
Abstract Objective Our aim was to investigate the effect of elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) within normal blood pressure range (NBPR) on an executive functioning task (Stroop C) in a cognitively healthy, high functioning, older adult population. Method Archival data at Huntington Medical Research Institutes provided 35 cognitively healthy, high functioning adults from 63 to 89 years of age (M = 76, SD = 7.0). The majority were female and Caucasian, and had college or higher degrees. A general linear model (GLM) regression analysis was performed to determine if the Stroop C Interference z score would be predicted by DBP NBPR when controlling for age, sex, education level, and ApoE4 genotype. Results The regression model for DBP NBPR on Stroop Interference z scores was significant, F(5, 29) = 1.56, p < .05, with increased DBP NBPR associated with decreased Stroop Interference z scores (slower completion time). Conclusions Increased DBP NBPR was negatively associated with executive functioning as indicated by Stroop C Interference performance, such that individuals with slower completion times had elevated DBP NBPR measurements. These results suggest that increased DBP NBPR may play a role in the reduction of executive functioning performance in cognitively healthy older adults and are consistent with prior findings identifying increased DBP as a risk factor for neurodegeneration (den Heijer et al., 2005; Kennelly et al., 2009). The current study highlights the need for increased attention to the role of DBP in neurodegeneration.
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