Some types of blood pressure drugs cut the risk of Alzheimer’s by about half, according to a new study by British scientists.
Researchers at Bristol University found that people taking hypertension medications known as ACE inhibitors and ARBs were less likely to develop vascular dementia, a condition characterized by problems in the blood supply to the brain.
The two classes of drugs are relatively new. Brands include Lotensin, Capoten, Vasotec, Atacand, Teveten, Avapro, and many others.
The study revealed that the largest benefit came to people taking ARBs, with a 53 percent drop in risk, compared with patients on ACE inhibitors, who had a 24 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
Patients taking older types of blood pressure medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics were found not to have a lowered risk of dementia.
The results were published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.