A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA, suggests that pulmonary hypertension (PH) can affect not only the heart and lungs but also the brain, potentially explaining why some patients experience memory problems, difficulty concentrating and impaired thinking. Researchers found that inflammation linked to a genetic factor called NCOA7 may cause damage to brain cells and affect areas responsible for memory, attention and planning.
Why does this matter?
- Cognitive problems may be a direct part of pulmonary hypertension, rather than simply a consequence of low oxygen levels.
- NCOA7 could potentially help identify patients at risk of cognitive decline.
- These findings may lead to new treatments aimed at protecting brain function.
The researchers note that current guidelines for managing pulmonary hypertension do not include cognitive screening, and no biological marker exists to predict or track how much the disease affects the brain. This study points to a potential marker and identifies inflammation as a potential therapeutic target for preserving brain function and quality of life.
Read more at this link on News Medical Life Sciences
Citation
Okawa, S., et al. (2026). Cerebellar and frontal lobe alterations in pulmonary hypertension implicate an inflammatory lung vascular/brain axis. Journal of Clinical Investigation. DOI: 10.1172/jci195110. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/195110