Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Some blood pressure drugs may cut risk of dementia

Medicines commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease may cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia, U.S. scientists said on Wednesday.

Researchers from Boston found that older people taking a certain type of blood pressure medication known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were significantly less likely to develop the brain-wasting illnesses.

Dementia affects some 35 million people around the world and the number of cases -- and their impact on health policy and the economic and social costs of healthcare -- is set to grow dramatically as populations age.

Despite decades of research, doctors still have few effective weapons against dementia and experts commenting on the latest study said it could have major implications.

READ MORE @ REUTERS