Anti-Hypertensives Reduce the Rate of Alzheimer’s Disease Progression: A Cohort Study Linked with Genetic and Neuropathological Analyses

Background Arterial hypertension contributes to both the development and progression of dementia due to both Alzheimer’s disease (A.D.) and vascular pathology. However, the effects of different classes of anti-hypertensives (A.H.T.s), on the rate of dementia progression and brain neuropathology are unknown. Objective To investigate the effect of each class of A.H.T., both as single and combined, on the rate of dementia progression. In addition, we analyzed the effect of A.H.T.s on brain neuropathology in AD participants, indicated by Braak staging, hippocampal atrophy, and baseline CSF levels of A-β42, total (T) tau, and P-181 tau. Methods We have used the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set (UDS). Results A.H.T.s were associated with reduced yearly increase in the CDR-SOB scores of 1.025 during a 10-year follow-up (P70 vs.