The brain is very susceptible to hypertension-induced damage. In addition to the well-known increased risk of stroke in hypertensive patients, hypertension alone (rat model) can induce changes in neuron structure in a cognitive brain center. The aim of this study was to characterize the differences in neuron morphology in three cognitive centers, the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC), Hippocampus (Hcx), and Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc). They utilized Golgi-Cox staining to analyze 1260 (!!) neurons in 21 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 21 Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). They also measured blood pressure via a tail cuff in both groups to confirm the presence of hypertension. Finally, they assesed activity in a novel environment (i.e. curiosity). Dendritic spines, a morphologic structure, usually indicate the presence of a synapse. In general, spine density decreased in both groups over time while overall dendritic length remained the same. Spine density decreased more in SHR versus WHY. The activity level (or curiosity) of SHRs was greater than WKYs. The authors hypothesize that alterations in dopaminergic regulation in these centers is related to the behavioral differences documented between the two strains. They go on to suggest that alterations in these and other structures during hypertension are an important component of the hypertensive syndrome.
-Nick
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