Drugs to Lower BP, Cholesterol Don't Seem to Slow Cognitive Decline in Most

A statin and an angiotensin-receptor blocker don't appear to slow cognitive decline in most elders, according to a subanalysis from the HOPE-3 trial in Neurology.

Patients at intermediate cardiovascular risk but without cardiovascular disease at baseline were randomized to four groups:

• Rosuvastatin (10 mg) plus candesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (16 mg/12.5 mg)

• Rosuvastatin plus placebo

• Candesartan/hydrochlorothiazide plus placebo

• Double placebo

Some 1600 patients aged 70 and older had their cognition tested at baseline and again roughly 6 years later. Overall, cognitive scores declined, and the extent did not differ significantly across any of the groups. However, participants in the highest tertiles of baseline systolic BP (mean, 156 mm Hg) and LD…