By Nigel Praities
Angiotensin receptor blockers are associated with a significant reduction in the incidence and progression of dementia compared with other cardiovascular drugs, researchers have found.
The study – published online in the BMJ – found patients taking ARBs had a 24% reduced risk for incident Alzheimer's disease and dementia compared with those taking ACE inhibitors.
The large US study was conducted in over 800,000 patients and looked at time to incident Alzheimer's disease or dementia in three groups of predominantly male patients – those taking ARBs, lisinopril or other cardiovascular drugs.
They found a 24% reduced risk for incident dementia in the angiotensin receptor blocker group, compared with patients taking other cardiovascular drugs, and a 19% reduced risk compared with those taking lisinopril.
Patients with pre-existing Alzheimer's disease taking ARBs also had a significantly lower risk of admission to a nursing home compared to those taking other cardiovascular drugs.
BMJ 2010, published early online
Researchers have shown in a predominantly male population that certain hypertension drugs can lower the risk of dementia.
