A high-blood pressure drug that costs just pennies could combat Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.
A study found taking the hypertension medication Nilvadipine for six months boosts blood flow to the part of the brain that controls memory by a fifth.
Nilvadipine boosts blood flow by blocking the mineral calcium from entering arteries, which causes the blood vessels to widen.
Reduced blood flow to the brain is emerging as a key factor in dementia's onset and progression.
A high-blood pressure drug that costs just pennies could combat Alzheimer's disease (stock)
The research was carried out by Radboud University in the Netherlands and was led by Professor Jurgen Claassen, principal investigator at the Donders Center of Medical Neurosciences.
'Even though no medical treatment is without risk, getting treatment for high blood pressure could be important to maintain brain health in patients with Alzheimer's disease,' Professor Claassen said.
Nilvadipine managed to boost blood flow to the brain's 'learning centre' without diverting it away from other areas of the vital organ.
'This high blood pressure treatment holds promise as it doesn't appear to decrease blood flow to the brain, which could cause more harm than benefit,' Professor Claassen said.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and the ability to perform simple tasks.
It is the cause of 60 percent to 70 percent of cases of dementia.
The majority of people with Alzheimer's are age 65 and older.
More than five million Americans have Alzheimer’s.
It is unknown what causes Alzheimer's. Those who have the APOE gene are more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer's.
Signs and symptoms:
Difficulty remembering newly learned information Disorientation Mood and behavioral changes Suspicion about family, friends and professional caregivers More serious memory loss Difficulty with speaking, swallowing and walkingStages of Alzheimer's:
Mild Alzheimer's (early-stage) - A person may be able to function independently but is having memory lapses Moderate Alzheimer's (middle-stage) - Typically the longest stage, the person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, or have sudden behavioral changes Severe Alzheimer's disease (late-stage) - In the final stage, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation and,
