Effects of Blood Pressure Lowering With Different Antihypertensive Agents on Cognitive Function and Plasma Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels

PURPOSE: Hypertension is a risk factor for cognitive impairment (CI). However, the specific effect of antihypertensive therapy on cognitive function is still controversial. We aimed to investigate the effect of antihypertensive agents targeting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on CI and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). METHODS: We included 62 patients who had been using the same antihypertensive agent for at least 3 months. Patients who had relevant conditions that could contribute to CI were excluded. After subjects were divided into 3 groups according to their current antihypertensive medication, the cognitive status of each patient was assessed by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). BDNF and plasma renin activity were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a negative association between systolic blood pressure and MMSE independent of medication (rho = -0.251, P = 0.049). There was no significant correlation between MMSE and BDNF. The MMSE score was slightly higher in the non-RAS group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.09). There was also no significant difference in BDNF levels between study groups (P = 0.32). Mean plasma renin activity levels were significantly lower in the non-RAS group compared with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker groups (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the essential intervention for CI in hypertensive patients is appropriate for blood pressure control.