Although the effects of blood pressure on cardiovascular events and cognition have been reported widely in literature, the effect of pulse pressure on cognition has received less attention. In this study 65 male subjects with essential hypertension, not on any treatment, with a pulse pressure of more than 60 mmHg (mean pulse pressure-70.76±11.50 mmHg) were evaluated. Mini Mental State Examination and Event related potentials (P300 and N200) were used for assessment of cognitive function. 65 age and sex matched non-hypertensive controls with a pulse pressure less than 60 mmHg (mean pulse pressure-43.87±8.79) were taken as controls. Compared to controls (P300 latency- Fz-310.2 ± 16.71, Cz- 305.3 ± 16.10, Pz- 316.1 ± 14.55. N200 latency- Fz- 193.4 ± 11.78, Cz- 187.3 ± 12.36, Pz- 198.3 ± 15.21), the cases had increased latency of P300 and N200 waveforms (P300 latency- Fz -367.72 ± 14.35, Cz- 361.36 ± 16.77, Pz- 375.45 ± 14.98. N200 latency- Fz-243.21 ± 9.33, Cz- 231.0 ± 12.57, Pz- 248.22 ± 10.51) signifying impaired cognitive functions.

Key words: Pulse pressure, cognition, P300, ERPs, MMSE, hypertension