WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Jul 23, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A class of medication
used to treat high blood pressure may protect older adults against memory
decline, U.S. researchers said.
"High blood pressure is an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and
vascular dementia," lead author Dr. Kaycee Sink of Wake Forest University School
of Medicine says in a statement.
"Our study found that all blood pressure medications may not be equal when it
comes to reducing the risk of dementia in patients with hypertension."
The researchers analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a long-term
study of cardiovascular risk factors that involved 5,888 people age 65 and
older.
Compared to other classes of anti-hypertensive drugs, the researchers found no
association between exposure to Angiotensin-converting enzyme -- ACE --
inhibitors as a class and the risk of dementia. However, there was a significant
cognitive benefit in those individuals treated with the centrally active ACE
inhibitors such as captropril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril
(Prinivil or Zestri), perindopril (Aceon), ramipril (Altace) and trandolapril
(Mavik).
The findings, published in the of Archives of Internal Medicine, found an
association between taking centrally active ACE inhibitors and lower rates of
mental decline.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International