Assessing the Impact of Calcium Channel Blockers on COGnitive Function in the Very Elderly (AI-COG)
Assessing the Impact of Calcium Channel Blockers on COGnitive Function in the Very Elderly (AI-COG)
Older adults are at increased risk of high blood pressure and cognitive decline. High blood pressure itself also increases risk of cognitive decline. A particular type of blood pressure lowering drug (a calcium channel blocker(CCB)) may lower risk of dementia in younger adults but there is no clear evidence of it's impact in those >=80. It is important that we know whether CCB use impacts on cognitive function in this age group. This study will examine the impact of antihypertensives on change in cognitive function with a particular focus on CCBs.
This study is an observational cohort study examining cognitive change in those participants taking antihypertensives and aged 80 and over and examining cognitive change in participants taking different types of antihypertensive medication.
Inclusion Criteria:
Aged 80 and over Receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension Mini Mental State Exam score >24 No other condition likely to limit life to less than one year or to prevent the taking of informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
Aged under 80 years Not receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension Mini Mental State Exam score <25 Diagnosed with a condition likely to limit life to less than one year or to prevent the taking of informed consent.
Presence of a sensory impairment or an existing neuropsychological deficit of sufficient severity to prevent cognitive testing.
Presence of a condition that will prevent cognitive testing, registered blind, profoundly deaf, suffering from an aphasia.