Memory recall better for up to three years with blood-brain barrier-crossing renin-angiotensin drugs versus nonpenetrant counterparts<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
MONDAY, June 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Blood-brain barrier-crossing renin-angiotensin drugs seem to be associated with better memory recall in seniors, according to a study published online June 21 in Hypertension<\/em>.<\/p>\n Jean K. Ho, Ph.D., from the University of California Irvine, and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis to examine the potential cognitive benefits of blood-brain barrier-crossing renin-angiotensin system drugs relative to their nonpenetrant counterparts. Longitudinal participant data were harmonized from 14 cohorts from six countries, involving a total of 12,849 cognitively normal participants at baseline who had hypertension. Seven cognitive domains were analyzed (attention, executive function, language, verbal memory learning, recall, mental status, and processing speed).<\/p>\n The researchers found that despite their relatively higher vascular risk burden, older adults taking blood-brain barrier-crossing renin-angiotensin drugs exhibited better memory recall during up to three years of follow-up compared with those taking nonpenetrant medications. During the same period, those taking medications that were not <\/strong>blood-brain barrier-penetrant showed better attention, although this result could be partially explained by their lower vascular risk burden.<\/p>\n “Given that current pharmaceutical treatments for dementia have only had modest effects on symptom improvement, modifying risk factors such as hypertension represents a promising line of work toward dementia prevention,” the authors write. “This finding has clear implications for individuals who remain symptom-free, but who may experience later cognitive benefit from simply changing their antihypertensive regimen.”<\/p>\n The study was partially funded by Pfizer Canada and Bayer Incorporated.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n