Current study blood thinners can protect against dementia

Doctors find that taking blood thinners lowers the risk of dementia

Dementia disease affects the lives of many older people in the world. Researchers have now discovered that so-called blood thinners, which are commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation, also contribute to improved protection against dementia. The risk of developing dementia is reduced by 48 percent compared with people who did not use blood thinners.

The scientists of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found in their study that blood thinners against atrial fibrillation can be used effectively for the treatment of dementia. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "European Heart Journal".

Physicians noted that the use of anticoagulants can protect against the development of dementia. Typically, these drugs are used in atrial fibrillation to prevent strokes in those affected. (Image: Ocskay Mark / fotolia.com)

The use of blood thinning reduced the risk of developing dementia by 29 percent

The current study looked for a link between anticoagulant therapy and the onset of dementia. In their study, the experts analyzed the health data of more than 444,000 Swedish patients with atrial fibrillation. All people in Sweden who had received a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation between 2006 and 2014 were examined. In these studies, 26,210 patients were diagnosed with dementia. When participants took an anticoagulant at the beginning of the study, it prevented the formation of blood clots. Such patients also had a 29 percent reduced risk of developing dementia compared to people who did not take anticoagulants.

Long-term use reduces dementia risk by almost 50 percent

If such anticoagulants are taken over a longer period of time, the intake has an even greater effect on the likelihood of dementia. The risk of dementia is even reduced by almost 50 percent through long-term use, explain the scientists in the team around Dr. med. Leif Friberg from the Karolinska Institute.

Which means are used for blood thinning?

Scientists see the results of their study as a strong indication that certain blood thinners (anticoagulants) can actually protect against dementia. Usually, blood thinners are used to prevent strokes in people with atrial fibrillation. The blood thinners prescribed for atrial fibrillation included, for example, drugs such as warfarin, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban and rivaroxaban. The study found no difference in the prevention of dementia when older blood thinners such as warfarin were used instead of the newer anticoagulants, say experts from Sweden.

Microscopic strokes and their consequences

Blood thinners are supposed to prevent the formation of larger blood clots. Such blood clots can contribute to a stroke. The doctors suspected for this reason that they also protect against smaller clots. Such small clots can also have dangerous consequences for human health. They can even lead to so-called microscopic strokes, which can go completely unnoticed, the authors add. Such microscopic strokes then lead to a worsening of the cognitive abilities of those affected.

Timely use of blood thinners is important for the protection against dementia

The protective effect of dementia seems to be greater, the more likely sufferers to start taking the blood-thinning medication after receiving the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia, the researchers explain. The experts therefore suspect that the most timely use of blood thinners after a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation could be really important for reducing the likelihood of dementia. The anticoagulants should not be discontinued by those affected. Doctors should not discourage their patients from using oral anticoagulants without a good reason. Friberg.

Further research is needed

The connection between drugs for blood thinning and the likelihood of developing dementia must urgently be further investigated. Hopefully, the results should now be reinforced by other ongoing studies in this area, say the authors. (As)