At AAIC 2018, researchers reported preliminary results related to risk of dementia and cognitive decline from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT).

SPRINT is a randomized clinical trial that compares two strategies for managing high blood pressure (hypertension) in older adults: an intensive strategy with a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 120 mm Hg versus a standard care strategy targeting a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 140 mm Hg.

SPRINT Memory and Cognition IN Decreased Hypertension (SPRINT MIND) examined whether treating for the lower blood pressure target reduces the risk of developing dementia and/or MCI. Study participants were 9,361 hypertensive older adults with increased cardiovascular risk but without diagnosed diabetes, dementia or stroke. Participant mean age was 67.9 years (35.6 percent women) and 8,626 completed at least one follow-up cognitive assessment.

In SPRINT MIND, the researchers found a statistically significant 19 percent lower rate of new cases of MCI in the intensive blood pressure treatment group. The combined outcome of MCI plus probable all-cause dementia was 15 percent lower in the intensive versus standard treatment group.

"This study shows more conclusively than ever before that there are things you can do especially regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors to reduce your risk of MCI and dementia," said Carrillo. Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women, according to the Alzheimer's Association 2018 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. The report also says that, of the 5.5 million people age 65 or older with Alzheimer's in the United States, 3.4 million are women and 2.0 million are men.

Research reported at AAIC 2018 investigated women's reproductive history across the entire life course and its relationship with risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including the first-ever large-scale study (n=14,595) in this area. The researchers found that

• Women in the study with three or more children had a 12 percent lower risk of dementia compared to women with one child.
• Each additional report of a miscarriage was associated with a 9 percent increased risk of dementia, compared to women who reported no miscarriages.
• Women who indicated having their first menstrual period at age 16 or older were at 31 percent greater risk than those who reported having their first period at 13 or younger.
• Compared to women who experience natural menopause after age 45, those who experience natural menopause at 45 or younger were at 28 percent greater dementia risk.