Drug shows early promise in Alzheimer's treatment
About ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors belong to the class of medicines called high blood pressure medicines (antihypertensives). They are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). However, the study from Japan showing that ACE inhibitors slowed deterioration in thinking and memory in people with Alzheimer's disease should be viewed with some skepticism because of researcher bias, reports Dr David S Knopman.
The one year study of 162 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's and high blood pressure were given various types of medication for high blood pressure. The researchers headed by Dr Takashi Ohrui of Tohoku University School of Medicine in Sendai, Japan, found that those patients taking certain types of ACE inhibitors that are able to penetrate the brain did best.
The subjects were tested at the begining of the study then again at the end using a standardized test. Those taking the brain penetrating ACE inhibitors, particularly Aceon and Capoten, declined an average 0.6 points, those taking other blood pressure tablets, declined by 4.6 to 4.9 points. These do appear to be good results that has implications for future use in the treatment and possible prevention of ALzheimer's say the researchers. The problem is that the researchers knew which subjects were taking which drugs.
These early results are promising. If this study can be replicated with greater controls it is possible that ACE inhibitors may offer hope for people with Alzheimer's disease
