Hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: potential for pharmacological intervention.
This paper focuses on hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and, as such, subjects for prevention. The long-term, prospective, population-based studies regarding the relationship between hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia and Alzheimer's disease, and the clinical studies regarding the association between antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medications and the risk of Alzheimer's disease, are reviewed. These studies provide evidence to suggest that elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels earlier in life may have an important role in the development and expression of late-life Alzheimer's disease. Based on these data, we propose that proper, early interventions aimed at reducing these cardiovascular risk factors may have an impact on the future incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease.
Kivipelto
Miia
M
Department of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. miia.kivipelto@uku.fi
Laakso
Mikko P
MP
Tuomilehto
Jaakko
J
Nissinen
Aulikki
A
Soininen
Hilkka
H
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents