[Cognitive impairment and dementia in hypertension; the effect of antihypertensive medication].

Abstract

The prevalence and incidence of both degenerative (Alzheimer) and vascular dementias rise exponentially with aging. In both forms of dementia hypertension is a predisposing factor. The interval between the onset of hypertension and the manifestation of dementia amounts to 12-15 years. A complicating factor is the observation that initial dementia may be accompanied by secondary decrease in blood pressure. A preventive effect of current antihypertensive treatment is likely, according to preliminary evidence (particularly with regard to the use of the calcium antagonist nitrendipine), but the hopeful perspective of protection against dementias through antihypertensive treatment remains to be confirmed by further prospective comparative trials.

• Authors: W H Birkenhäger, P W de Leeuw, J A Staessen, J G Wang, F Forette, M L Seux
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 144 Issue 31 Pg. 1469-74 (Jul 29 2000) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Cognitief functieverlies en dementie bij bloeddrukverhoging; het effect van bloeddrukverlagende medicatie.
• PMID: 10941432 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antihypertensive Agents
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Nitrendipine

Topics

• Antihypertensive Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Calcium Channel Blockers (therapeutic use)
• Cognition Disorders (prevention & control)
• Dementia (etiology, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Hypertension (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Nitrendipine (therapeutic use)