OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the effect of polymorphisms in renin angiotensin system genes on the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) exposure and global and executive cognitive function in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study.

DESIGN:

Cohort study.

SETTING:

Community.

PARTICIPANTS:

Three thousand seventy-five participants: mean age 73.6, 58% Caucasian, 52% female, 15% taking ACE-Is, 8 years of follow-up.

MEASUREMENTS:

The outcomes were longitudinal change in Executive Clock Drawing Test-1 (CLOX1), the Digit Symbol Substitution test, and the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. The genetic polymorphisms included angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion deletion (ACEID) in the ACE gene and the M235T and 6AG polymorphisms in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene.

RESULTS:

For the CLOX1 outcome, there was significant interaction between 6AG and M235T polymorphisms in the AGT gene and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) in Caucasian participants (P=.01 for both polymorphisms) independent of blood pressure levels. Specifically, ACE-I exposure was protective against CLOX1 score decline in carriers of the AA genotype of the 6AG and the CC genotype of the M235T (for the ACE-I vs non-ACE-I groups, P=.01 for 6AG and P=.005 for M235T) but not the other genotypes. These associations were not significant with other cognitive tests, with ACEID, or in African Americans.

CONCLUSION:

ACE-Is may provide a protective effect on executive function in Caucasians with AGT gene polymorphisms known to be associated with greater renin angiotensin system activity. If confirmed in a pharmacogenetic trial, ACE-Is may be found to have additional cognitive protection in a select group of elderly individuals.