New research identifies potential repurposing of antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations, and anti-inflammatory medications for dementia treatment.
Antibiotics , antivirals, vaccinations and anti-inflammatory medication are associated with a reduced risk of dementia, according to new research that analyzed health data from over 130 million individuals. The study, led by researchers from the universities of Cambridge and Exeter, explored the potential of existing drugs to be repurposed for dementia treatment. Dementia, a leading cause of death in the UK, can cause significant distress for both individuals and their caregivers.
It is estimated to have a global economic impact exceeding US$1 trillion. Despite substantial efforts, progress in identifying drugs that can slow or prevent dementia has been limited. Recent breakthroughs with lecanemab and donanemab, which have shown to reduce amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and slow disease progression, have been met with cautious optimism. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) concluded that the benefits were insufficient to warrant approval for use within the NHS.Scientists are increasingly focusing on repurposing existing drugs to accelerate the development of potential dementia treatments. The established safety profiles of these drugs allow for quicker progression to clinical trials. Dr. Ben Underwood, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, emphasized the urgency for new treatments to slow or even prevent dementia. He highlighted the potential of repurposing existing drugs, stating that they could be brought to trials and potentially made available to patients much faster compared to developing entirely new drugs. The availability of these drugs could also reduce costs and increase the likelihood of NHS approval. Dr. Underwood, along with Dr. Ilianna Lourida from the University of Exeter, conducted a systematic review of scientific literature to identify prescription drugs that could influence dementia risk. This systematic approach allowed researchers to combine findings from multiple studies, even those with conflicting results, to arrive at more robust conclusions. They analyzed 14 studies utilizing large clinical datasets and medical records, encompassing data from over 130 million individuals and 1 million dementia cases. While they observed inconsistencies in individual drug effects on dementia risk across studies, they identified several drug classes associated with altered risk. Notably, antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines were linked to a reduced risk of dementia, supporting the hypothesis that common dementias may be triggered by viral or bacterial infections. This finding aligns with growing interest in vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis, and their potential role in reducing dementia risk. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen were also associated with a decreased risk of dementia. The growing understanding of inflammation's role in various diseases, including dementia, is reinforced by the fact that some genes associated with an increased risk of dementia are involved in inflammatory pathways. The team found conflicting evidence for other drug classes. Some blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and, to a lesser extent, diabetes medications were associated with a decreased risk of dementia, while others within the same class were linked to an increased risk. Dr. Ilianna Lourida from the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC), University of Exeter, cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions based solely on associations. She emphasized that the presence of an association between a drug and altered dementia risk does not necessarily imply a causal relationship or therapeutic benefit. She used the example of diabetes, where individuals taking medication to manage their glucose levels may be at a higher risk of dementia, but the medication itself does not necessarily increase the risk. Dr. Lourida stressed the importance of consulting with a doctor before making any changes to medication and addressing any concerns. The conflicting evidence may also reflect variations in study methodologies, data collection practices, and the fact that different medications within the same class often target distinct biological mechanisms
Dementia Drugs Repurposing Antibiotics Antivirals Vaccines Inflammation
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