Hypertension Drug May Help Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

Information published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension indicates the blood pressure drug nilvadipine can increase blood flow to the brain's memory and learning center without affecting other brain regions in people who already have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  Researchers have found that a known decrease in cerebral blood flow in individuals with Alzheimer's can be reversed in some regions.

According to information provided by the American Heart Association (AHA) Nilvadipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia.  The risk of facing Alzheimer's disease increases with age.  Causes of Alzheimer's disease and dementia are not known.  According to earlier research it has been shown that blood flow to the brain declines early in Alzheimer's disease.

Further studies are looking for clinical benefits in the use of Nilvadipine in slowing down or reversing the effects of Alzheimer's disease.  Additional information on the study can be found by going to the American Heart Association at: www.heart.org.