The Effects of Blood Pressure on Frontal-Mediated Cognitive Performance in College Students

Publication Date

Spring 4-16-2025

Presentation Length

15 minutes

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

SPARK Category

Research

Faculty Advisor

Michael Oliver

Metadata/Fulltext

Metadata ONLY

SPARK Session

Independent Presentation

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

Even though high blood pressure is important to keep track of in older populations, college-age adults are not necessarily safe just because they are young. The impacts of high blood pressure, or hypertension, can start as early as adolescence and can lead to cognitive impairment or a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases later in life. Thus, it is important to identify high blood pressure early to prevent as much decline as possible. Research examining blood pressure and cognition has relied on neuroimaging techniques that use blood flow to measure brain activity, but the current study utilizes electroencephalography (EEG). In this cross-sectional study, blood pressure and its relationship to four different cognitive domains of the frontal lobe (response inhibition, working memory, decision-making, and attention) are being examined linearly. We hypothesize that higher blood pressure will be related to lower cognitive function, even in young adults. The presented research represents the culmination of two years of data from Belmont University students. This research is important because the brain, particularly the frontal lobe, is still developing in young adults, meaning the effects of hypertension are potentially more harmful than they would be in midlife.

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