Evaluating the association between genetically proxied ACE inhibition and dementias

Abstract Introduction Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) has been implicated in the metabolism of amyloid beta; however, the causal effect of ACE inhibition on risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia and other common dementias is largely unknown. Methods We examined the causal association of genetically proxied ACE inhibition with four types of dementias using a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Results Genetically proxied ACE inhibition was associated with increased risk of AD dementia (odds ratio per one standard deviation reduction in serum ACE [95% confidence interval]; 1.07 [1.04–1.10], P = 5 × 10 −07 ) and frontotemporal dementia (1.16 [1.04–1.29], P = 0.01) but not with Lewy body dementia or vascular dementia ( P > 0.05). These findings were independently replicated and remained consistent in sensitivity analyses. Discussion This comprehensive MR study provided genetic evidence for an association between ACE inhibition and the risk for AD and frontotemporal dementias. These results should encourage further studies of the neurocognitive effects of ACE inhibition. HIGHLIGHTS This study evaluated genetically proxied angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition association with dementias. The results suggest an association between ACE inhibition and Alzheimer's disease. The results suggest an association between ACE inhibition and frontotemporal dementia. Those associations can be interpreted as potentially causal.