抗凝固薬の使用が認知機能低下を遅らせる可能性を示す研究(Blood-thinning Medication Linked to Slower Cognitive Decline)

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2026-08-12 カロリンスカ研究所(KI)

スウェーデンのカロリンスカ研究所は、心房細動とアルツハイマー病を併発する患者において、NOAC(非ビタミンK拮抗経口抗凝固薬)による抗凝固療法が認知機能低下の進行を遅らせる可能性があることを報告した。研究は欧州心臓病学会誌(European Heart Journal)に掲載された。心房細動は高齢者に多い不整脈で、血栓や脳卒中予防のため抗凝固薬が用いられる。これまで抗凝固療法が認知症発症リスクを低下させる可能性は示されていたが、既にアルツハイマー病を発症した患者への効果は十分に分かっていなかった。研究チームは、NOAC治療を受けた患者で認知機能低下の速度が遅いことを確認した。その背景として、脳血流の改善や脳内の微小血管障害の抑制が関与している可能性が示唆された。今回の成果は、心房細動を伴うアルツハイマー病患者において、適切な抗凝固療法が認知機能維持に寄与する可能性を示すものであり、高齢者医療や認知症治療戦略に新たな知見を提供する。

<関連情報>

心房細動およびアルツハイマー病における経口抗凝固薬、認知機能、および臨床転帰:スウェーデン全国調査 Oral anticoagulants, cognition, and clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation and Alzheimer’s disease: a Swedish nationwide study

Nanbo Zhu,Hong Xu,Sara Garcia-Ptacek,Sumonto Mitra,Maria Eriksdotter
European Heart Journal  Published:12 August 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag584

For graphical abstract description, please refer to the textual abstract.

Abstract

Background and Aims
Use of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is associated with reduced dementia risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but their impact on cognitive function and clinical outcomes in AF patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unclear.

Methods
Based on the Swedish Registry for Cognitive/Dementia Disorders, individuals with incident AD during May 2007–December 2020 and pre-existing AF were identified. Anticoagulant use at baseline was categorized as non-use, warfarin, or NOACs. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was employed to balance covariates. Mixed-effects models were used to assess the association between anticoagulant use and cognitive decline measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine risks of all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism, major bleeding, and fracture.

Results
Among 7308 eligible individuals (3341 non-users, 2277 warfarin users, and 1690 NOAC users), NOAC users exhibited significantly slower cognitive decline compared to non-users (difference in MMSE scores β = 0.23 points/year, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11–0.36) and warfarin users (β = 0.21 points/year, 95% CI 0.10–0.33). Compared to non-use of anticoagulants, NOAC use was associated with significantly lower rates of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.81; 95% CI 0.72–0.91), ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.53–0.82), and fracture (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.64–0.97), without an increased rate of major bleeding (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.84–1.32); in contrast, warfarin use was associated with significantly lower rates of mortality (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.80–0.97) and ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.72–1.00), but a higher rate of major bleeding (HR 1.31; 95% CI 1.09–1.56). Compared to warfarin, NOAC use was associated with lower rates of ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.62–0.98) and major bleeding (HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.64–1.01), and non-significant reductions in mortality and fracture.

Conclusions
In patients with AF and AD, NOAC use was associated with modestly slower cognitive decline and more favourable effectiveness and safety profiles, compared to warfarin or no anticoagulation.

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