The researchers note that more studies are necessary to prove a definitive connection. This current research shows an association, not direct causation. However, the study underscores the complex connections between cardiovascular and brain health, offering a glimmer of hope in the ongoing fight against dementia.
To understand how the researchers conducted this groundbreaking study, they used comprehensive national health registries in Sweden, which track detailed medical information for millions of people. By linking different databases, they could follow individuals' medication use and track subsequent dementia diagnoses.
The researchers selected 88,065 people diagnosed with dementia after age 70, between 2011 and 2016. For each dementia patient, they identified ten matched control subjects without dementia. This allowed them to compare medication use between those who developed dementia and those who did not.
The study revealed nuanced findings about cardiovascular medications and dementia risk. Long-term users (five years or more) of diuretics, blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and blood thinners showed lower dementia rates. Specifically, using these medications for 5-10 years reduced dementia risk by approximately 25%.
Interestingly, short-term medication use (1-4 years) was actually associated with slightly higher dementia risk. The researchers suggest this could be because individuals starting medications might already have underlying health conditions affecting brain health.
The researchers could not definitively prove these drugs prevent dementia, only that they're associated with lower risk. They also acknowledged potential missed diagnoses and the challenges of using registry data.
The research suggests that long-term cardiovascular treatment might have unexpected neurological benefits. The protective effect seemed most pronounced when patients used multiple complementary medications. However, the study also raised a red flag about antiplatelet drugs, which were associated with higher dementia risk.
The study was funded by research foundations at Karolinska Institutet. The researchers declared no significant conflicts of interest, and funding sources were not involved in the study design or analysis.