These blood thinners may have an unexpected benefit for Alzheimer’s patients

Newer blood thinners may do more than prevent strokes in people with Alzheimer’s disease and atrial fibrillation. Researchers found that patients taking NOACs experienced a slower decline in cognitive function than those using warfarin or no blood thinners. The effect was modest each year but could add up over time.

These blood thinners may have an unexpected benefit for Alzheimer’s patients. Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm condition in older adults and also affects many people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors often prescribe blood thinners to these patients to reduce the chance of blood clots and stroke.

Earlier research has suggested that anticoagulant treatment may lower the risk of developing dementia, but far less is known about whether these drugs influence cognitive decline after Alzheimer’s disease has already been diagnosed. "There are reasons to believe that the treatment could have a positive effect on cognition, for example by improving blood flow and reducing small-scale damage in the brain," says Maria Eriksdotter, professor at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, and senior consultant in geriatric medicine at Karolinska University Hospital, who led the study. Comparing Newer and Older Blood Thinners Researchers analyzed information from SveDem (Swedish Register for Cognitive Disorders/Dementia), a national quality registry, and included 7,308 people diagnosed with both atrial fibrillation and Alzheimer’s disease.