# Associations Between Cerebral Perfusion Pressure, Hemodynamic Parameters, and Cognitive Test Values in Normal-Tension Glaucoma Patients, Alzheimer’s Disease Patients, and Healthy Controls

## TL;DR

This study finds that blood pressure and brain perfusion differences are linked to cognitive changes in Alzheimer's and glaucoma patients compared to healthy individuals.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct vascular patterns in Alzheimer's and normal-tension glaucoma, linking them to cognitive performance.

## Key findings

- Alzheimer’s patients had lower cerebral perfusion pressure and mean arterial pressure, indicating systemic vascular dysfunction.
- Normal-tension glaucoma patients showed higher ocular perfusion pressure, suggesting compensatory mechanisms.
- Pulse pressure negatively correlated with cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s and healthy controls.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are neurodegenerative conditions with vascular underpinnings. This study aimed to explore the relationship between blood pressure parameters such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and cognitive performance in patients with AD, normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), and healthy controls. We hypothesized that NTG patients, like those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), may experience subtle cognitive changes related to vascular dysregulation. Methods: Ninety-eight participants (35 NTG, 17 AD, 46 controls) were assessed for CPP, MAP, OPP, and cognitive performance. Statistical analyses compared groups and examined correlations. Results: AD patients showed lower CPP and MAP (p < 0.001), indicating systemic vascular dysfunction, while NTG patients had higher ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) (p = 0.008), suggesting compensatory mechanisms. CPP correlated with visuospatial abilities in AD (r = 0.492, p = 0.045). MAP correlated with the Clock drawing test (CDT) scores in the NTG group (r = 0.378, p = 0.025). PP negatively correlated with cognition in AD (r = −0.527, p = 0.016 for CDT scores) and controls (r = −0.440, p = 0.002 for verbal fluency and r = −0.348, p = 0.019 for total ACE scores). Conclusions: The study highlights distinct hemodynamic profiles: systemic dysfunction in AD and localized dysregulation in NTG. These findings emphasize the role of vascular dysregulation in neurodegeneration, with implications for personalized treatment approaches targeting vascular health in neurodegenerative conditions.