ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE: Accumulating evidence suggests that the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) medication protects against cognitive decline in the elderly patients. We investigated whether ACE-I use was associated with higher plasma levels of amyloid-ß (Aß), possibly indicating improved Aß clearance from brain to blood. METHODS: We measured and compared plasma concentrations of Aß42, Aß40, and creatinine in cognitively impaired individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia, and mixed probable AD/vascular dementia. RESULTS: Plasma Aß42 levels and Aß42/Aß40 ratios of participants taking ACE-Is (n = 11) significantly exceeded ( t = 3.1, df = 19, P = .006; U = 24, P = .029, respectively) those not taking ACE-Is (n = 10). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to show an association between ACE-I use and increased plasma Aß42 level and Aß42/Aß40 ratio in cognitively impaired individuals. Future investigations should assess whether a possible ACE-I-induced increase in plasma Aß42 indicates improved Aß42 clearance from brain that contributes to protection from cognitive decline.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/blood , Amnesia/blood , Amyloid beta-Peptides/blood , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cognitive Dysfunction/blood , Dementia, Vascular/blood , Peptide Fragments/blood , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Creatine/blood , Female , Humans , Hypertension/drug therapy , MaleABSTRACT
The Dementia Evaluation, Management, and Outreach (DEMO) program improves access and satisfaction for rural patients with cognitive deficits.
