Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2026 Jul 21. doi: 10.2174/0115701611457906260714113521. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The progressive aging of the global population has been accompanied by a parallel increase in both dementia and atrial fibrillation (AF), two conditions that frequently coexist and are linked through complex cerebrovascular and systemic mechanisms. Beyond overt ischemic stroke, AF has been increasingly associated with subclinical brain injury and cognitive decline.
OBJECTIVE: This review examines the relationship between AF, oral anticoagulation, and cognitive outcomes, with a particular focus on elderly patients and those with cognitive impairment.
METHODS: Study Design and Literature Search Strategy: This article is a narrative review based on a structured literature search conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and relevant guideline databases. The search focused on studies addressing atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation, cognitive decline, dementia, silent cerebral infarction, cerebral microbleeds, and neurovascular injury. Priority was given to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, observational cohort studies, and current international guidelines. Relevant English-language articles published up to 2025 were considered. We performed a narrative synthesis of the current evidence addressing the biological pathways connecting AF and neurodegeneration, as well as clinical studies evaluating the impact of oral anticoagulant therapy on cognitive trajectories.
RESULTS: Oral anticoagulation remains central to stroke prevention in AF, yet its role in modulating cognitive decline remains incompletely defined. Observational data suggest that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may be associated with a lower incidence of dementia, potentially through the reduction of microembolism and silent cerebral ischemia. However, these findings are not conclusive and should be interpreted with caution. Concerns regarding bleeding risk, particularly intracerebral hemorrhage, continue to influence treatment decisions, especially in frail and cognitively impaired populations.
CONCLUSION: Managing anticoagulation in patients with AF and cognitive impairment requires a careful balance between preventing blood clots and minimizing bleeding risk. A comprehensive, patientfocused approach, supported by multidisciplinary collaboration, may improve clinical decisionmaking. More research is needed to understand the long-term cognitive effects of anticoagulant treatments in this vulnerable group.
PMID:42509687 | DOI:10.2174/0115701611457906260714113521