Effects of antihypertensive drugs treatment on cognitive function: cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Over the past decades, a growing body of evidence supports the link between neurocognitive diseases and hypertension (HTN). Particularly, high blood pressure (BP) in midlife has been associated with an increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia in late-life. With increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of HTN increases and more people suffer from cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the Alzheimer's disease International Association recognized HTN as the main modifiable vascular risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Given that the causes of dementia include a complex interplay between vascular and non-vascular risk factors, antihypertensive therapy could prevent cognitive decline or dementia risk beyond the presence of stroke. Given the growing incidence of worldwide dementia and its adverse impact on public health, it is likely that BP control can minimize the risk or delay the onset of cognitive impairment, thereby reducing the burden of dementia. For these reasons, the Working Group Hypertension and Brain of the European Hypertension Society has decided to write a brief non-systematic review on the topic.