Comparative effects of telmisartan and lisinopril on cognitive function in metabolic syndrome patients

Abstract

Background and Aim: Metabolic syndrome has been reported to increase the risks of dementia. Antihypertensives has been reported to improve cognition. Therefore, in the present study, comparative effects of telmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker and lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on cognitive function in metabolic syndrome patients were studied. Methods: A prospective, randomized, parallel, open-label clinical trial was carried out on 62 patients of metabolic syndrome. There were two groups: Group A: Telmisartan (31 patients) and Group B: Lisinopril (31 patients) receiving telmisartan 40 mg and lisinopril 5 mg orally once a day respectively for 12 weeks. Assessment of cognitive function was performed by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and clock drawing test (CDT) at initial stage and repeated after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment in these patients. Results: It was observed that telmisartan treatment for 12 weeks leads to statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in MMSE score and decrease in CDT score at 12 weeks when compared with baseline. But lisinopril therapy did not show significant improvement in both MMSE and CDT scores when compared with baseline. Conclusion: Telmisartan is associated with an improvement in cognitive functions, whereas lisinopril could not provide any potential benefits to cognitive improvements in these subjects.