Background:
It has been found that there is a link between hypertension and elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease
(AD). Herein, a meta-analysis based on randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was used to assess the effect of antihypertensive
drugs on cognition and behavioral symptoms of AD patients.
Method:
The three databases – PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library- were searched up to March 2020. The
quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis was evaluated by the Jadad score. Clinical Global Impression of Change
(CGIC) included in two studies, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) included in three studies, and Neuropsychiatric
Inventory (NPI) in three studies were the main outcomes in this systematic review.
Results:
Out of 1506 studies retrieved in the databases, 5 RCTs included and analyzed in the meta-analysis. The pooled
mean differences of CGIC, MMSE, and NPI in patients with AD receiving antihypertensive drugs compared to placebo was
-1.76 with (95% CI = -2.66 to -0.86; P=0.0001), 0.74 (95% CI = 0.20 to 1.28; P= 0.007), and -9.49 (95% CI = -19.76 to
0.79; P = 0.07), respectively.
Conclusion:
The findings of the present meta-analysis show that antihypertensive drugs may improve cognition and
behavioral symptoms of patients with AD. However, more well-designed RCTs with similar drugs are needed to achieve
more conclusive results.
Predictors of discontinuation, efficacy, and safety of memantine treatment for Alzheimer’s disease: meta-analysis and meta-regression of 18 randomized clinical trials involving 5004 patients