Alzheimer's Risk Shielded by BP Drugs

The most common type of dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive corrosion, loss of memory, and inhibited daily functioning.

The other major symptoms of Alzheimer’s are aphasia, apraxia, agnosia. Impairment is also caused in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, fading decision-making and planning abilities.

Researchers have been trying to formulate various methods to prevent dementia, which is popular among the elderly. But the various medications available do not promise a full cure. Although, they help in ameliorating memory, but effectual treatment can be seen only in a handful of patients.

So far, the research in the field of ‘Alzheimer’s Cure’ has focused on Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, natural extracts from Maidenhair tree, immunotherapy and NMDA antagonists. Various behavioral and cognitive therapies, occupational and life style therapies have been incorporated in the ‘various methods of cure’.

The latest feather in the cap has been put by Wake Forest University School of Medicine. In the latest research conducted by them, the researchers concluded on Sunday that some high blood pressure medicines may help shield older adults from downslopes in memory and other cognitive functions.

The long term study conducted on cardiovascular risk factors that involved 5,888 people of over 65 years old by the Cardiovascular Health Study, provided the foundation to this new study relating to linking Alzheimer’s cure with hypertension drugs.

Analyzing the data collected from the Cardiovascular Health Study, the Wake Forest researchers concluded that hypertension drugs, which are a part of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor group, reach the brain and helps to avert inflammation, which might trigger off Alzheimer’s.

"For older adults who are going to take an ACE inhibitor drug for blood pressure control, it makes sense for their doctors to prescribe one that goes into the brain," said Kaycee Sink, lead researcher and an assistant professor of gerontology.

The highly specialized function of the blood vessel which prevents harmful substances entering the brain can be thwarted by these inhibitors, and they can easily cross the blood-brain barrier.

The ACE inhibitor class includes drugs like captropril, fosinopril, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril and trandolapril.

Kaycee, after rigorous experimentation, held that people who take this class of drugs, have a 50% lesser chance of mental decline than people taking other kinds of hypertension drugs.

In the study, the rate of mental decline among the patient was measured using Modified Mini-Mental State Exam, which evaluates memory, language, abstract reasoning and other cognitive functions.

"These results suggest that there is more to treating blood pressure than achieving a goal of 140/80," Sink said. "Which drug you choose for blood pressure can have broader implications. We know that ACE inhibitors protect against heart failure and kidney failure, and now there is evidence that some of them may also protect against dementia."

According to statistics, there are about 24 million people with dementia worldwide, and it has been estimated that by 2040, the figure will increase to a giant size of 81 million.

Already, there are about 60% people in the developing countries affected by Alzheimer’s and by 2040; this proportion will rise to 71%.

In 2005, USA spent $76 billion to care for the above 6 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s. It is expected that this figure is just one sixth of what the government will spent on the patients this year. Worldwide, about $315 billion was spent for the care and treatment of the people suffering from Alzheimer’s in 2005, and the figure is likely to increase like a mammoth in the present year.

Notable researches have been carried out in this field and the efforts have been laudable. However, a complete cure has yet not been established. But with newer research being done almost everyday and sophistication of science and research, one can surely project that after 5 years, the percentage of people suffering from Alzheimer’s will be decreased.