A new study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2021 has highlighted the significant effects of anticoagulants on brain health. The Cognitive Impairment Related to Atrial Fibrillation (GIRAF) study looked at the effects of warfarin and dabigatran on cognitive and functional impairment, bleeding occurrence, and cerebrovascular complications in 200 patients above 70 years of age with confirmed atrial fibrillation.

All study participants underwent a series of 90-minute cognitive and functional evaluations at baseline and at follow-up visits and were also subjected to a brain MRI at baseline and after 2 years to check for a possible stroke. After a follow-up for 2 years, the researchers noted that appropriate use of anticoagulants can prevent cognitive decline in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. At 2 years, there were no differences between the two drugs… (Medscape)