New oral anticoagulants may help slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease

• About 32 million people globally live with Alzheimer’s disease.
• People who have Alzheimer’s disease are at increased risk for several health issues, including atrial fibrillation (AFib).
• Past studies show that anticoagulant medications may help lower a person’s risk of developing dementia.
• A new study says treatment with newer blood-thinning medications, or new oral anticoagulants (NOAC), may help slow the cognitive decline rate of people with both Alzheimer’s disease and AFib.

An estimated 32 million people around the world are living with a type of dementia called Alzheimer’s disease.

People who have Alzheimer’s disease are at increased risk for several health issues, including pneumonia, depression and anxiety, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and heart health conditions like stroke and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

AFib is a heart rhythm disorder commonly treated with an anticoagulant, or blood-thinning medication. Past studies show that anticoagulants may help lower a person’s risk of developing dementia.

Now a new study published in the European Heart Journal suggests that treatment with new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) may help slow the cognitive decline rate of people with both Alzheimer’s disease and AFib.