Blood pressure drugs may help to avoid dementia
Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine find that blood pressure drugs known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) has link with slower progression of Alzheimer’s disease and its lower occurrence.
The researchers analyzed government data that showed that there were 40 percent less chances to develop Alzheimer’s disease or any other kind of dementia in people who were taking ARBs.
It was also found by the researchers that there were 45 less chances to develop delirium and to die in those patients with Alzheimer’s who were taking ARBs. Similarly, the researchers also found that ARBs especially benefited those patients who suffered strokes before or after being diagnosed Alzheimer’s or dementia.
These findings will be presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s disease in Chicago on Sunday.
Our findings suggest that ARBs may help people to avoid Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the researchers stated.
Dr. Benjamin Wolozin who is a pharmacology professor in the university told in a university press conference that: “ In patients with dementia ,the use of the drug may help to delay deterioration of brain function and keep them away from nursing homes.”
We still don’t know why ARBs is helpful but it may be because these drugs help to avoid nerve cell injury due to blood vessel damage or as they support nerve recovery after the damage of the blood vessel, the researchers told.
It’s commonly accepted that blood vessel damage decreases brain capacity and leads to dementia. If these kinds of damages are prevented, it may help to slow or prevent the progression of dementia.
