AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Merck Heart Drugs Cut Alzheimer’s Disease
By Michelle Fay Cortez, BusinessWeek
Drugs commonly used to lower blood pressure, sold by AstraZeneca Plc, Sanofi-Aventis SA and Merck & Co., may also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers from Boston University analyzed the medical records of more than 800,000 U.S. veterans and found those taking angiotensin receptor blockers were up to 24 percent less likely to develop dementia than patients on other medications. Patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease were half as likely to be admitted to a nursing home and had a 17 percent reduced risk of dying if they were taking the medications.
The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, suggest the drugs are associated with fewer cases and slower progression of Alzheimer's disease. The results could have a major impact on public health if confirmed in future studies, said researchers led by Benjamin Wolozin from Boston University School of Medicine's departments of pharmacology and neurology.
Complete Story >> http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-12/astrazeneca-sanofi-merck-heart-drugs-cut-alzheimer-s-disease.html