Nisha Pandey

Alzheimer’s With AFib: Study Finds Unexpected Benefit Of Blood Thinners On Brain Function

A commonly prescribed class of blood-thinning medicines may do more than prevent strokes in patients with both Alzheimer’s disease and atrial fibrillation (<span>AFib</span>). A new Swedish study suggests newer blood thinners may also be linked with a slower rate of cognitive decline.

The findings, published in the <em><span rel="noindex">European Heart Journal</span></em>, come from a large analysis of 7,308 people with Alzheimer’s disease and AFib. 

Researchers compared patients who were on newer oral anticoagulants, known as <span>NOACs</span>, to those taking the older drug warfarin and people who were not receiving anticoagulant treatment. 

Patients taking NOACs experienced a slower decline in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/carly-simon-reveals-parkinsons-disease-skin-cancer-diagnosis-im-learning-how-to-live-with-it-article-155189651" data-type="tilCustomLink">cognitive function</a> compared to those taking warfarin or no anticoagulant.

Cognitive function was assessed using the <span>Mini-Mental State Examination</span> (MMSE), a commonly used test that evaluates areas including memory, attention and orientation. 

The researchers also found that <span>NOAC</span> treatment was associated with more favourable outcomes for stroke and death compared to no anticoagulation. 

The study included patients from Sweden's national dementia registry and followed their outcomes over many years.

“This finding suggests that NOAC may offer benefits beyond their established role in preventing stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation,” said Maria Eriksdotter, professor at Karolinska Institutet and senior author of the study. She noted that the effect on cognition was modest, but even a small delay in cognitive deterioration could be meaningful over several years.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/limiting-sugar-before-age-2-may-lower-alzheimers-risk-by-46-study-suggests-article-155232664" data-type="tilCustomLink">Limiting Sugar Before Age 2 May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk By 46%, Study Suggests</a> 

<h2>How Could A <span rel="noindex">Blood Thinner</span> Affect Alzheimer’s?</h2>

Researchers believe that the connection may stem from the relationship between AFib, blood clots and the brain. AFib causes the heart to beat irregularly, which can allow blood clots to form. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. 

But researchers are also investigating whether smaller blockages in blood vessels, including so-called silent strokes, may contribute to cognitive damage.

Blood thinners reduce the formation of these clots, potentially protecting the brain from some additional vascular injury. Researchers have also proposed that the body's blood-clotting system could interact with biological processes involved in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/aging-us-population-at-high-risk-of-dementia-cases-expected-to-double-by-2060-article-151121401" data-type="tilCustomLink">Alzheimer’s disease</a>.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/alzheimers-sleep-loss-may-be-reversible-study-sparks-hope-for-new-treatments-article-155192005" data-type="tilCustomLink">Alzheimer's Sleep Loss May Be Reversible; Study Sparks Hope For New Treatments</a> 

<h2>Why Did Newer Blood Thinners Prove Better Than Warfarin?</h2>

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/blue-zone-residents-drink-these-2-beverages-to-live-long-dodge-dementia-boost-memory-article-151249810" data-type="tilCustomLink">NOACs</a> are newer medicines that include drugs like apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran. Unlike warfarin, they generally do not require the same frequent blood testing and dose adjustments. That could be important for someone already experiencing memory problems.

The researchers noted that differences in how consistently patients took their medicines may partly explain why NOACs appeared to perform better than warfarin. However, the study cannot determine exactly why the difference occurred.

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<h2>Blood Thinners And Alzheimer’s </h2>

As this study was observational, it does not mean that blood thinners can treat <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/new-alzheimers-treatment-reaches-target-study-finds-insulin-delivered-this-way-could-help-article-152363229" data-type="tilCustomLink">Alzheimer’s</a> successfully. Researchers analysed existing medical records rather than randomly assigning patients to receive a particular blood thinner. Therefore, it can identify an association but cannot prove that NOACs themselves caused the slower cognitive decline.

 Anticoagulants are prescribed primarily to reduce the risk of stroke associated with AFib, and they can also cause serious bleeding. But this study raises the possibility that treating cardiovascular risk aggressively in people with Alzheimer’s could potentially have benefits for the brain as well.

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A commonly prescribed class of blood-thinning medicines may do more than prevent strokes in patients with both Alzheimer’s disease and atrial fibrillation (AFib). A new Swedish study suggests newer blood thinners may also be linked with a slower rate of cognitive decline.The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, come from a large analysis of 7,308 people with Alzheimer’s disease and AFib. Researchers compared patients who were on newer oral anticoagulants, known as NOACs, to those taking the older drug warfarin and people who were not receiving anticoagulant treatment. What Did The Study Find?Patients taking NOACs experienced a slower decline in cognitive function compared to those taking warfarin or no anticoagulant.Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a commonly used test that evaluates areas including memory, attention and orientation. The researchers also found that NOAC treatment was associated with more favourable outcomes for stroke and death compared to no anticoagulation. The study included patients from Sweden's national dementia registry and followed their outcomes over many years.“This finding suggests that NOAC may offer benefits beyond their established role in preventing stroke and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation,” said Maria Eriksdotter, professor at Karolinska Institutet and senior author of the study. She noted that the effect on cognition was modest, but even a small delay in cognitive deterioration could be meaningful over several years.Also read: Limiting Sugar Before Age 2 May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk By 46%, Study Suggests How Could A Blood Thinner Affect Alzheimer’s?Researchers believe that the connection may stem from the relationship between AFib, blood clots and the brain. AFib causes the heart to beat irregularly, which can allow blood clots to form. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. But researchers are also investigating whether smaller blockages in blood vessels, including so-called silent strokes, may contribute to cognitive damage.Blood thinners reduce the formation of these clots, potentially protecting the brain from some additional vascular injury. Researchers have also proposed that the body's blood-clotting system could interact with biological processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease.Also read: Alzheimer's Sleep Loss May Be Reversible; Study Sparks Hope For New Treatments Why Did Newer Blood Thinners Prove Better Than Warfarin?NOACs are newer medicines that include drugs like apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran. Unlike warfarin, they generally do not require the same frequent blood testing and dose adjustments. That could be important for someone already experiencing memory problems.The researchers noted that differences in how consistently patients took their medicines may partly explain why NOACs appeared to perform better than warfarin. However, the study cannot determine exactly why the difference occurred.          Blood Thinners And Alzheimer’s As this study was observational, it does not mean that blood thinners can treat Alzheimer’s successfully. Researchers analysed existing medical records rather than randomly assigning patients to receive a particular blood thinner. Therefore, it can identify an association but cannot prove that NOACs themselves caused the slower cognitive decline. Anticoagulants are prescribed primarily to reduce the risk of stroke associated with AFib, and they can also cause serious bleeding. But this study raises the possibility that treating cardiovascular risk aggressively in people with Alzheimer’s could potentially have benefits for the brain as well.

alzheimer’s with afib: study finds unexpected benefit of blood thinners on brain function

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