RT Journal
A1 MINTZER J
T1 ß-blockers and cognitive performance in older patients
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1989
FD May 1
VO 149
IS 5
SP 1223
OP 1224
DO 10.1001/archinte.1989.00390050167044
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1989.00390050167044
AB To the Editor.—I read with interest the recent article in the Archives by Gengo and colleagues1 on "The effect of β-blockers on mental performance on older hypertensive patients." These findings seem to confirm previous studies by Eisdorfer et al2-4 and Wilkie et al5 on learning and autonomic activity.In these studies, Eisdorfer and colleagues3 determined the extent of heightened and persistent autonomic activation in older men as reflected by elevated levels of free fatty acid. Elderly men evidenced elevated levels of free fatty acid relative to younger men and exhibited a delay in returning to baseline free fatty acid levels when confronted with a learning task.Moreover, cognitive impairment among older men was associated with autonomic hyperarousal4 and learning