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A drug which is commonly used to treat high blood pressure could prevent Alzheimer’s, researchers have said.
The team from Boston University found angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), also used to treat cardiovascular disease, are linked with a “striking decrease” in dementia.
The male-focused study used more than 5 million people’s health records to compare patients who take ARBs with those of similar health using different treatments.
Up to 50% of patients taking ARBs had a 50% lower chance of developing dementia – the study revealed.
Furthermore, for patients supplementing ARB medication with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the dementia risk was 55% lower.
Those taking both the ARB and ACE inhibitor treatments who already had dementia saw their chance of being admitted to a nursing home drop by 67%.
Professor Benjamin Wolozin, from Boston University School of Medicine, said: “The research is the first to compare both risk of dementia and progression of dementia in users of angiotensin receptor blockers compared with users of a drug from the same class (lisinopril) or users of other drugs prescribed for cardiovascular disease.”
Copyright Press Association 2010
Alzheimer’s Society
