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Blood Pressure and Statin Effects on Cognition: a Review

Mia Yang1, Jeff Williamson2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. miyang@wakehealth.edu.

Current Hypertension Reports
|July 28, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Intensive blood pressure control in older adults may prevent cognitive decline. More research is needed to determine if statins impact cognition, especially for preventing age-related cognitive impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cognitive decline is a significant concern in aging populations.
  • Blood pressure and statin use are potential modifiable factors influencing cognitive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review available data on the effects of blood pressure management and statin therapy on cognitive function.
  • To assess the impact of intensive systolic blood pressure control on preventing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing randomized clinical trials and ongoing study follow-ups (e.g., SPRINT-MIND).
  • Analysis of data regarding the effects of intensive blood pressure control on cognitive outcomes.
  • Evaluation of evidence for statin use in preventing cognitive decline.

Main Results:

  • Intensive systolic blood pressure control in older adults demonstrated a preventive effect against mild cognitive impairment and probable dementia.
  • Previous trials suggested statins might prevent cognitive decline, but current evidence remains inconclusive regarding their positive or negative effects.

Conclusions:

  • Intensive systolic blood pressure control shows promise in preventing cognitive decline in older adults.
  • Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are necessary to definitively establish the role of statins in cognitive health and primary prevention of age-related cognitive decline.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood pressureCognitionCognitive impairmentDementiaHypertensionStatin

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