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 emphasizes how maintaining heart health is crucial in protecting brain function, as conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes can contribute to cognitive decline. Stroke and cognitive decline are noted as significant factors in brain health that have a major impact on individuals and society as a whole. Evidence suggests that leading a healthy lifestyle and addressing vascular risk factors early on can help preserve cognitive function, despite dementia being commonly viewed as an untreatable progressive condition.
Additionally, a new study suggests that the blood thinner heparin may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by interfering with harmful protein interactions in the brain. Previous research has shown that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s may be associated with a protein called Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and its interactions with heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). The study found that heparin treatment led to Alzheimer’s symptoms developing up to 2 years later than usual, indicating a potential protective benefit of this common anticoagulant. Researchers analyzed medical records from two large health systems and observed the delay in Alzheimer’s diagnosis among patients who received heparin, further supporting the potential protective effects of the medication.
The research also explored how certain genetic factors play a role in Alzheimer’s disease development. The findings of a rare version of the APOE gene suggested a protective effect against Alzheimer’s symptoms, leading to the hypothesis that blocking APOE from binding to HSPGs could potentially create a treatment or preventative measure against the disease. While it is challenging to claim that heparin or blood-thinning medications can directly affect Alzheimer’s disease development, further studies are needed to investigate potential effects on dementia caused by recurrent strokes or vascular issues.
Neurologists not involved in the research caution against assuming that heparin use can prevent Alzheimer’s disease and suggest additional studies to explore potential effects on different types of dementia. The use of large electronic health records (EHR) datasets to evaluate the effects of drugs on Alzheimer’s disease treatment and prevention presents an opportunity to identify new therapeutic targets and inform the development of novel drug therapies. The study’s results, based on patient data analysis, indicate the potential for developing drugs that target the process of delaying Alzheimer’s symptoms or protect brain health more broadly. While heparin may not easily reach the brain in most forms and is typically used for short-term purposes, future research can investigate the development of drugs that target this process more effectively. Experimental models may be used to test potential new treatments in the future.
