As researchers continue to hunt for ways to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease, one study has shown promise in slowing the progression of the disease.
According to a study published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Hypertension, a blood pressure medication called nilvadipine was effective at improving blood flow to parts of the brain impacted by Alzheimer’s.
For the double-blind study, the researchers treated 44 Alzheimer’s patients with either nilvadipine or a placebo, and found that those who received the hypertension medication had 20 percent better blood flow to the hippocampus (the brain’s memory and learning center). Although the patients did not show any clinical benefit to the improved blood flow, a previous study using nilvapidine on patients with milder Alzheimer’s symptoms did show a slower decline in memory function.
The researchers noted that the findings are another important step in discovering if drugs like nilvapidine can help halt the march of Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Read the full Science Daily report.
