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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 May;8(3):188-95.
doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.010. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Diuretic use is associated with better learning and memory in older adults in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study

Sevil Yasar  1 , Fu-Mei Lin, Linda P Fried, Claudia H Kawas, Kaycee M Sink, Steven T DeKosky, Michelle C Carlson; Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Investigators
Collaborators, Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Diuretic use is associated with better learning and memory in older adults in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study

Sevil Yasar et al. Alzheimers Dement. 2012 May.

Abstract

Background: To investigate the association between diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), angiotensin II receptor blockers (AT2RB), and cognitive function.

Methods: This post hoc analysis of the randomized controlled Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study trial focuses on 3069 nondemented community-dwelling participants aged >75 years. At baseline visit, detailed information about medication use was collected and five cognitive domains were assessed. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to assess cross-sectional associations between medication use and cognitive function.

Results: In all, 36% of participants reported history of hypertension and 53% reported antihypertensive medication use, with 17% reporting diuretic, 11% ACE-I, and 2% AT2RB use. Potassium-sparing diuretic use (N = 192) was associated with better verbal learning and memory measured by California Verbal Learning Test as compared with no antihypertensive medication users (β = 0.068, P = .01; β = 0.094, P < .001) and other antihypertensive medication users (β = 0.080, P = .03; β = 0.153, P < .001). Use of ACE-I or AT2RB was not associated with better cognitive function.

Conclusion: Results warrant further investigation into possible protective effects of potassium-sparing diuretics and the role of potassium in mitigating cognitive decline.

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