Angiotensin receptor blockers: Do they protect against dementia and alzheimers disease in the elderly?

Evaluation of: Li NC, Lee A, Whitmer RA et al.: Use of angiotensin receptor blockers and risk of dementia in a predominantly male population: prospective cohort analysis. BMJ 340, B5465 (2010). A large observational study with a relatively long period of follow-up was designed to evaluate whether angiotensin receptor blockers are associated with protection against Alzheimers disease or dementia. In the almost entirely male study population (mean age: 74 years) with cardiovascular disease, the use of angiotensin receptor blockers was associated with a reduced incidence of Alzheimers disease and dementia. For patients with these conditions, the use of angiotensin receptor blockers reduced both mortality and the rate of admission to a nursing home. While these results are of great interest, they should be interpreted with great caution, since the findings refer to a rather specific study population and, thus, lack generalizability. Further research involving more heterogeneous samples is necessary.