New hope for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients

Many will say that Alzheimer’s and dementia are some of the worst diseases of modern times.

Sufferers lose touch with reality; they forget their partners, their children and grandchildren, they lose all their memories and can no longer care for themselves.  But what if there was a drug that could protect those at risk and slow progression in those already affected?

Researchers at the Boston University Medical Centre recently found that angiotensin receptor blockers have a significant effect on incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The study analysed data from the Department of Health System Veteran Affairs on more than 800,000 individuals, predominantly male, with cardiovascular disease, who were taking angiotensin receptor blockers or other medications.

Angiotensin receptor blockers, such as Losartan and Candesartan, are used mainly in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes or heart failure, all of which are potential risk factors for development of several forms of dementia.

The researchers found that angiotensin receptor blockers were associated with a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and appeared to slow progression in those already affected. “For those who already have dementia, use of angiotensin receptor blockers might delay deterioration of brain function and help keep patients out of nursing homes.” said Professor Benjamin Wolozin, whose team conducted the study.

Furthermore it was found that another high blood pressure treatment, which targets the same pathway, called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, seemed to enhance the effects of angiotensin receptor blockers on development and progression of disease.

These effects are likely due to a combination of factors, which are not yet fully understood. The protective function may depend on the drug’s effects on high blood pressure and diabetes, which are risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Protection against a decline in brain function may be related to a reduction in neuronal and blood vessel damage and increased nerve cell recovery.

More research needs to be done to confirm these findings and determine the exact mechanisms of protection. However, several small studies to date have already shown similar results and there is reason to hope that angiotensin receptor blockers in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may be used in the future to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, giving new hope to thousands of people affected by these conditions.