INTENSIVE blood pressure control may be the key to beating Alzheimer’s in later life, scientists say.
A study found that much closer monitoring was more effective at slowing the accumulation of damaging white matter lesions.
And a previous study by the same group showed the treatment lowered the chances of people developing cognitive impairment.
Researchers used MRI scans to study lesions and found people with hypertension have a greater chance of accumulating them and are more at risk of developing dementia.
US neurological expert Dr Walter Koroshetz said: “These initial results support a growing body of evidence suggesting that controlling blood pressure may not only reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease but also of age-related cognitive loss.
“I urge people to know what their blood pressure is and discuss how to optimise control.
“It may be a key to your future brain health.”
Jana Voigt of Alzheimer’s Research UK, last night said: “Research points to midlife as the time to act, with high blood pressure associated with the greatest risk of the condition.”