CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS USE IS ASSOCIATED WITH A BETTER COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN OLDER HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH SUBJECTIVE MEMORY COMPLAINTS: 9D.07

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Hypertension is strongly associated with cognitive decline and a promising candidate for dementia prevention. Our aim was to investigate the association between different antihypertensive treatments and cognitive performance in elderly hypertensive patients presenting with subjective memory complaints (SMC). Methods: 378 elderly hypertensive patients > 65 years (mean age 70.4 ± 6.3 years) treated with at least one antihypertensive agent and presenting with SMC but without dementia were prospectively recruited and underwent a combination of neuropsychological tests, a brain MRI with semi-quantification of White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH), carotid echotracking, brachial endothelial function and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) assessments. Results: None of the 3 composite scores (memory score, verbal fluency, visual memory capacity) was found associated with BP levels. Age and gender-adjusted analyses showed a significant and positive association between the memory score and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) use (users: +0.14 ± 0.09 versus non-users: −0.12 ± 0.06, p = 0.016). Multivariate analyses showed that CCBs use was significantly associated with a better memory score, independently from age, male gender, WMH, and carotid wall cross-sectional area, which were associated with worse memory scores. Conclusions: In elderly hypertensive treated patients with SMC, CCBs use was associated with better memory performances independently of BP level and macro and microvascular alterations, suggesting a specific neuroprotective effect of this pharmacological class. Interventional controlled trials are required to confirm the specific protective effect of CCBs on cognitive decline.