ARBs and ACEIs linked to reduced dementiaARBs and ACEIs linked to reduced dementia

Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) are associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia and the benefit is doubled in combination with ACE inhibitors, a US cohort study suggests (BMJ 2010;340:b5465).

    The study compared the time to onset of dementia in people taking an ARB, lisinopril or a different cardiovascular drug over a four-year period in a cohort of over 800 000 people aged over 65.
    Compared with other cardiovascular drugs, ARBs were associated with a dose-dependent 24 per cent lower risk of dementia, a 49 per cent lower risk of admission to a nursing home and a 17 per cent lower risk of death. Compared with lisinopril, ARBs were associated with a 19 per cent lower risk of dementia.
    ARBs and ACE inhibitors together were associated with a 46 per cent lower risk of dementia and a 67 per cent lower risk of admission to a nursing home.
    Small differences in blood pressure between the groups were not statistically significant.