Preeclampsia may increase the likelihood of developing dementia later in life, according to three research published today.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the presence of toxic aggregates in the blood, according to a group of researchers from the state of Minnesota.
A separate study from the University of Utah revealed that people with pre-eclampsia-related elevated blood pressure during pregnancy had a 64 percent increased chance of developing vascular dementia.
In the meantime, a Dutch study found that pregnant mothers with hypertension lost 38% more brain tissue than those without preeclampsia or high blood pressure.
Kim Kardashian and Beyonce both experienced pre-eclampsia, which is believed to afflict approximately 5% of pregnancies in the United Kingdom and the United States.
It produces high blood pressure in pregnant women, which past study has shown can contribute to heart disease in the future.
However, pre-eclampsia is not the only reason for elevated blood pressure in pregnant women; gestational hypertension also contributes in some cases.
Dr. Rosa Sancho, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, stated, ‘This sequence of findings demonstrates how crucial it is to provide pregnant women with frequent monitoring and treatment for high blood pressure during pregnancy.
‘Women have a larger risk of developing dementia than males, even though women live longer.
Researchers have presented various hypotheses to explain the increased risk of dementia in women, but there is still much work to be done to provide conclusive answers, including research into the factors that have a disproportionate impact on the cognitive health of women.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for poor heart health, which impacts our brain health.
This study underlines the impact of high blood pressure and related problems during pregnancy on the likelihood of acquiring dementia in later life.
Previous research has demonstrated that high blood pressure in middle age can cause dementia by causing the brain’s artery walls to become thicker and stiffer, hence limiting blood flow to the organ.
Today, a Mayo Clinic abstract was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2022 in San Diego.
Researchers collected vesicle samples — small fluid-filled pouches released by brain cells — from 40 pregnant women with normal blood pressure and 40 pregnant women with high blood pressure.
Seven women in the second group experienced severe pre-eclampsia in their 20th week of pregnancy.
They did not clarify exactly how long after pregnancy the samples were collected.
However, the data revealed that pre-eclamptic women had greater amounts of amyloid beta in their blood.
The accumulation of the protein is considered a defining characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, with some research suggesting that it may even be the cause of the disease.
Plaques form in the brains of individuals with memory-robbing conditions.
In addition, the Mayo Clinic study revealed that pre-eclamptic women had greater levels of brain inflammation many years later.
Inflammation in the brain is believed to be another probable cause of Alzheimer’s disease, as earlier research has linked it to the accumulation of “junk” proteins in the brain.
Dr. Sonja Suvakov, a scientist at the Mayo Clinic and the study’s senior author, hypothesized that the disease could induce a variety of neurodegenerative and cognitive concerns.
She stated, ‘These findings indicate that women with a history of pre-eclampsia have elevated levels of neurovascular injury markers, which may have a deleterious effect on their cognitive skills.
To completely comprehend the neurological and cognitive dangers that a history of hypertension diseases puts on women throughout their lives, additional research is required.
A comprehensive study is planned to be released at a later date. The researchers have not yet published their complete findings.
Dr. Sancho stated, “Preliminary research indicates that women with pre-eclampsia are at a greater risk for heart-related disorders such as strokes, as well as cognitive issues.
This study adds to the current body of information by demonstrating that women with severe pre-eclampsia had indicators of brain inflammation, blood vessel damage, and elevated levels of amyloid, the hallmark protein of Alzheimer’s disease.
Although these findings are intriguing, we have not seen the complete data, and more research is required to examine a broader sample of women and determine the reasons for these findings.
The research from the University of Utah was presented at the same meeting.
It was found that women with pre-eclampsia had a higher risk of vascular dementia.
It is the second most frequent cause of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease.
The health records of 59,668 senior women who had given birth while they were younger were examined by researchers.
Those who experienced high blood pressure during pregnancy had a 64% increased risk of acquiring vascular dementia.
And they were 49 percent more likely to have dementia other than Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Karen Schliep, an epidemiologist at the university and the study’s corresponding author, stated, “Our results confirm prior findings that pre-eclampsia is more strongly connected with vascular dementia compared to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”
They also imply that the risk of vascular dementia is comparable for women with a history of prenatal hypertension and preeclampsia.
In contrast, research from the Erasmus MC Medical Center connected elevated blood pressure during pregnancy to greater brain degeneration.
The study examined the white matter in 93 pregnant women with hypertension problems and 445 women with normal pregnancies.
Researchers scanned the women’s brains 15 years after their pregnancies to determine the rate of tissue degeneration.
Those with high blood pressure had a 38% larger loss of white matter, indicating that more of their brains had degenerated.
Those with gestational hypertension were at a greater risk than those with pre-eclampsia.
Rowina Hussainali, a doctorate student in epidemiology and obstetrics, stated, ‘These data demonstrate that a history of [hypertensive disorders of pregnancy] was related with increased brain damage 15 years after pregnancy – damage that could have long-lasting effects on cognition.
Women having a history of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy should be assessed and treated for hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors as soon as possible.
Pre-eclampsia is believed to be caused by an issue with the placenta’s blood arteries that prevents it from developing normally.
The NHS states that the actual cause is not entirely understood.
Katherine Gray, manager of research communications at the Alzheimer’s Society, stated, ‘Despite women comprising 65 percent of dementia sufferers, little is known about the causes of a woman’s dementia risk.
These findings support what we already know about the relationship between high blood pressure and brain health in pregnant women.
Importantly, the results imply that if women with a history of high blood pressure are diagnosed early and provided with the appropriate therapy and care, we could not only keep them healthy throughout pregnancy and birth but also minimize their risk of acquiring dementia later in life.
WHAT EXACTLY IS PRE-ECLAMPSIA?
Pre-eclampsia affects approximately 6% of pregnancies in the United Kingdom.
It causes pregnant women to have elevated blood pressure and protein in their urine, which should be detected at periodic checkups.
In addition, some pregnant women may experience severe headaches, visual problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting, or sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet.
In one to two percent of pregnancies, the condition is severe and can cause catastrophic difficulties for mothers and infants.
Women with diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, a family history of pre-eclampsia, or who are above the age of 40 are at a greater risk for the condition.
The etiology of the illness is unknown, however, it is believed to be a problem with the placenta, the organ that connects the baby’s blood supply to the mother’s.
The only treatment for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby, so patients are typically followed constantly until it is safe to deliver.
In the most extreme circumstances, expecting moms may be induced or undergo a C-section sooner than 37 to 38 weeks of pregnancy.
Sufferers are in danger of developing eclampsia, a type of convulsion or seizure from which the majority of women recover completely, but some suffer permanent impairment or brain damage if the fits are severe.
Additionally, women may get liver and blood clots, strokes, and organ issues.
Their infants may develop more slowly in the womb and, if born prematurely, may have respiratory difficulties.
