Anti-Hypertensive Drugs Inclined to Decline Dementia

A class of medicine that is used to decrease blood pressure, could possibly sluggish the rate of cognitive decrease in dementia, and even increase brain power, with respect to a research published by BMJ Open.

Scientists from Ireland have assessed the cognitive decrease and brain power of 361 individuals with  an average age of 77. All had been clinically diagnosed with either Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or a combination of both. Out of these individuals, 85 were currently using the blood pressure-reducing (Anti-Hypertensive) medicines known as ACE inhibitors (-converting enzyme inhibitors). This is a generally applied class of Anti-Hypertensive medicine. 30 of the individuals, were prescribed ACE inhibitors, while in the initial 6 months of therapy, they were also examined for their brain power activity.

Since 1999 to 2010, the scientists used the Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE) or the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment (QMCI) to analyze the cognitive decrease of every patient. This was performed on 2 different situations, 6 months apart. The patients who were getting ACE inhibitors had sluggish rates of cognitive decrease in the research in comparison with patients who were not getting the medicines.

The research also unveiled that in individuals who had been recently prescribed the ACE inhibitors over the 6-month time, their brain power enhanced in comparing with both those people currently taking them and those not getting them at all. However, the research authors add that this could be due to the recently prescribed patients having superior command over their drugs regimen, or because of better blood pressure control or enhanced blood flow to the brain.

The scientists say, “This research helps the growing body of proof for the use of ACE inhibitors and other [blood pressure-lowering] agents in the control of dementia. Even though the variations were small and of unclear clinical importance, if sustained over years, the compounding effects may well have considerable clinical benefits.”

The scientists warn, however, that past study has suggested that ACE inhibitors may be dangerous in some cases, so if long term benefit of the medicines in dementia is confirmed, it may be restricted to certain groups of patient.

The research authors call for additional study and a controlled trial to ensure their findings. They say:”If this information can be reproduced in a randomized study of sufficient length, including acceptable outcome measures, such as an amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), then these agents are probably to have considerable benefits in slowing down or even protecting against dementia.”