Alzheimer's Society comment on BMJ research into impact of blood pressure treatments on dementia

Published 13 January 2010

New research published in the BMJ shows that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBS), commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, could protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

The ARBs could also protect against other types of dementia. The study from the University of Boston looked at predominantly male participants (98%) with cardiovascular disease over the age of 65.

The findings also show that ARBs could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease or dementia, reducing incidence of early death or admissions to nursing homes - helping people with dementia to maintain independence for longer.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'We have known for a while that it is important to control blood pressure from mid-life to reduce the risk of developing dementia. This new research not only adds to the evidence that treatments for high blood pressure could help stop the development of dementia but suggests that some of these treatments may be more suited to this than others.

The prospect of using already existing drugs to help in the fight against dementia is attractive. However, more research is needed to weigh up the benefits of this type of treatment as a protective tool. A million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years yet dementia research is desperately under-funded. We must act now.'

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society

Reference: Li N-C, Lee A, Whitmer A, Kivipelto M, Lawler E, Kazis LE, Wolozin B. Use of angiotensin receptor blockers and risk of dementia in a predominantly male population: prospective cohort analysis. BMJ 2010; 340: b5465