Antihypertensive therapy and cerebral hemodynamics in executive mild cognitive impairment: Results of a pilot randomized clinical trial

Ihab Hajjar, Meaghan Hart, Yu Ling Chen, Wendy MacK, Vera Novak, Helena C. Chui, Lewis Lipsitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives To compare the effects of three antihypertensive medications on cerebral hemodynamic and cognitive function in hypertensive individuals with executive dysfunction. Design Double-blind randomized clinical trial. Setting Community. Participants Fifty-three individuals aged 60 and older with hypertension and executive dysfunction. Intervention Lisinopril, candesartan, or hydrochlorothiazide for 1 year. Measurements Cerebral blood flow velocity (BFV; transcranial Doppler ultrasonography during rest, sitting, standing, hypercapnia, and hypocapnia), cognition, and blood pressure were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Linear mixed models were used to compare the three groups. Results Of the 53 participants, 47 had successful insonation (mean age 72; 70% white; 57% women). There was a tendency toward an increase in BFV in the candesartan group and a decrease in the lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide groups (between-group P =.57) that was significant in those with low BFV at baseline (<median 27.6 cm/s, between-group P =.03). The candesartan group also had the greatest improvement in executive function (Trail Making Test Part B improved by 17.1 seconds, vs hydrochlorothiazide improved by 4.2 seconds and lisinopril worsened by 14.4 seconds, P =.008). Carbon dioxide vasoreactivity and vasomotor range declined significantly in the lisinopril (within-group P =.001 for vasoreactivity and.02 for vasomotor range) and hydrochlorothiazide groups (within-group P =.10 and.009, respectively) but not in the candesartan group (within-group P =.25 and.38, respectively; between-group P =.30 and.46, respectively). Conclusion Angiotensin receptor blockers may preferentially preserve cerebral hemodynamics and executive function in individuals with executive dysfunction. These findings warrant further investigation in a larger trial.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)194-201
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume61
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • angiotensin receptor blocker
  • cerebrovascular circulation
  • executive function hemodynamics
  • hypertension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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