A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) highlights the strong connection between cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease, and an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. The research explains how heart health directly impacts brain function, with conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes contributing to cognitive decline. The statement emphasizes the importance of maintaining heart health from a young age to prevent cardiovascular diseases, protect brain function, and lower the risk of cognitive decline later in life.
In a separate study, researchers suggest that the blood thinner heparin may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by interfering with harmful protein interactions in the brain. Although more research is needed to confirm these findings, initial results indicate a potential protective benefit of heparin in delaying Alzheimer’s symptoms. Previous research has shown that stroke and cognitive decline are chronic and disabling conditions that significantly impact individuals and society. Evidence suggests that leading a healthy lifestyle and addressing vascular risk factors early on may help preserve cognitive function and prevent cognitive decline.
The study’s findings show that individuals with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease are at an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Previous research has also demonstrated that people with atrial fibrillation who were treated with direct oral anticoagulants had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those treated with traditional blood thinners like warfarin. The new study on heparin suggests that the anticoagulant may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by disrupting harmful protein interactions in the brain.
Researchers analyzed medical records from two large health systems and found that patients who received heparin treatment developed Alzheimer’s symptoms up to 2 years later than those who did not receive this treatment. The study’s first author, Benjamin Readhead, explained that previous research had shown a rare genetic mutation in the APOE gene that is protective against Alzheimer’s disease. The study aimed to investigate whether heparin therapy could offer similar protection by disrupting how APOE binds to heparin-like molecules in the body.
The senior author of the study, Eric M. Reiman, pointed out that the findings may help inform the development of new disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in individuals at higher genetic risk. While the study focused on a specific group of people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, the results suggest the potential for developing treatments that target the harmful protein interactions linked to cognitive decline. Additional research is needed to further explore the protective benefits of heparin and its potential as a brain-health-protective drug.
Overall, the research highlights the importance of understanding the link between heart health and brain function in preventing cognitive impairment and dementia. While maintaining heart health from a young age is crucial, exploring potential treatments, such as heparin, that target harmful protein interactions in the brain could lead to new therapeutic approaches for delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Further research and clinical trials will be essential to confirm these findings and develop effective treatments to preserve cognitive function and prevent cognitive decline in individuals at risk.
