The development and progression of cognitive impairment (CI), including dementia, are an important medical and social problem, especially in the context of increasing life expectancy and «aging» of the population. Arterial hypertension (AH) is a significant modifiable risk factor for development of CI. Antihypertension therapy is considered as the main proven method of preventing cognitive disorders. According to the information presented in this literature review, dihydropyridine calcium antagonists and diuretics are the most effective classes of antihypertension drugs with cerebroprotective effect, not only due to the long-term and stable maintenance of blood pressure within the target values, but also due to additional specific mechanisms. In this regard, these groups of drugs can be considered as first-line therapy for the prevention of CI in elderly and senile people with AH. Such representatives of calcium antagonists and diuretics as nitrendipine and indapamide, respectively, have the greatest evidence base for the presence of neuroprotective mechanisms.

Keywords: nitrendipine, antihypertension therapy, cognitive functioning, indapamide, dementia