New Studies On Dementia Released; Focus On Blood Pressure & Blood-Brain Barrier

Intensive blood pressure control may cut the risk of dementia, according to a study of adults with hypertension. The combined rate of mild cognitive impairment or probable dementia among those whose systolic blood pressure was controlled and remained below 120 mm Hg was 20.2 cases per 1,000 person years compared to 24.1 cases per 1,000 person years among people whose blood pressure was 140 mm Hg or lower. Another recent study found individuals with early cognitive dysfunction develop brain capillary damage and breakdown in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the hippocampus area of the brain . . .