An investigation of the safety, efficacy, and possible mechanisms of action, of the antihypertensive nilvadipine, in patients with mild moderate Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

This doctoral investigation endeavoured to explore how patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) would respond to treatment with the antihypertensive nilvadipine. Initially I reviewed the complex relationship between blood pressure (BP) and the incidence of AD. Mid-life hypertension appears to be a strong and consistent risk factor for AD, whereas it is less clear how high BP in later life influences ones risk. Importantly it also appears that low BP; especially later in life is also associated with an increased risk of developing AD. Patients, who develop AD, also appear to have a reduction in their BP preceding the onset of clinical symptoms. I discuss how the risk for AD attributable to different BP's may be as result of diminished cerebral perfusion.