Could beta-blockers prevent dementia?

This trial investigated the association between medications used to treat hypertension and the risk of developing cognitive impairment in elderly men.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) has been associated with the development of dementia (cognitive impairment or deteriorating mental state) late in life. Dementia can manifest as memory impairments, confusion, problem solving impairments and problems performing activities of daily living. Currently, no efficient treatment for dementia exists, thus efforts are directed at prevention of the disease. The current study investigated whether anti-hypertensive medications, such as beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and calcium channel blockers, affect the development of dementia and cognitive function among men with hypertension.   

This study included 2197 elderly men, diagnosed with hypertension, but without dementia or cognitive impairment. Participants were regularly assessed for cognitive decline, and their medical records were analyzed to determine anti-hypertensive medication use. A total of 854 men (38.9%) developed cognitive impairments during an average follow-up of 5.8 years. Of the men experiencing cognitive decline, 44.8% were found not to be receiving any anti-hypertensive medications.

Beta-blocker use was found to be associated with a 35% reduction in the risk of developing cognitive impairment compared with men not receiving any anti-hypertensive medication. This association was found to be strongest among men at high risk for cognitive decline, including diabetic men and those 75 years of age or older. The use of diuretics, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors alone (without additional beta-blocker use) was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment.

This study concluded that beta-blocker use is significantly associated with a lower risk of developing cognitive impairments and dementia.

This was a community-based cohort study of Japanese American men conducted in Honolulu, Hawaii. Therefore these results should be verified in large, diverse population studies, including female participants.

Consult with your physician regarding the risk of dementia associated with hypertension, and the potential benefits of beta-blockers in the prevention of cognitive decline.