Certain Drugs May Reduce Dementia Risk—A Neuroscientist Explains How

Dementia has no cure, and while some new drugs may slow its progression, they remain expensive and only marginally effective for many. However, a recent Cambridge-led study links commonly used prescription drugs—such as antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines—to a lower risk of dementia.

Since these drugs are already approved with well-known safety profiles, they could fast-track clinical trials for dementia treatments.

Researchers analyzed health records from 130 million people, including one million with dementia. They identified links between prescription drugs and dementia risk, then reviewed 14 studies to explore these connections. Their findings: antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-inflammatory drugs were all associated with lower dementia risk. Additionally, vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid, and diphtheria showed a similar protective effect.

However, the study didn’t track how long participants had taken these drugs or how often they had been prescribed them, making further research essential.

How These Drugs Might Protect the Brain

The researchers suggest that these medications may reduce dementia risk by lowering inflammation, controlling infections, and promoting brain health. This aligns with the theory that viral and bacterial infections could trigger common types of dementia.

Even short-term infections can harm the brain by triggering an excessive immune response, damaging brain cells and disrupting memory. Antibiotics and antivirals fight infections, reducing this immune overreaction. Vaccines prevent infections altogether, lowering the risk of long-term brain damage.

Interestingly, other studies have also linked the BCG vaccine (for tuberculosis) to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, further supporting the infection-dementia connection.

The study also found that anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly NSAIDs like ibuprofen, might protect against memory decline. This adds to growing evidence that chronic inflammation plays a key role in dementia.

Inflammation helps the body fight injury and infection, but when it becomes chronic, it releases chemicals that harm brain cells and disrupt communication between them, leading to memory loss. Anti-inflammatory drugs block certain molecules that drive inflammation, potentially shielding brain cells from long-term damage.

Mixed Results for Other Medications

The study’s findings on blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, and diabetes medications were less consistent. Some of these drugs were linked to both lower and higher dementia risks, possibly due to their varied effects on biological processes.

For example, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) improve brain health by boosting blood flow and reducing inflammation, while beta-blockers primarily slow heart rate and may lack neuroprotective benefits. Similarly, diabetes drugs showed mixed effects, though diabetes itself increases dementia risk, making it harder to isolate the drug’s impact.

Next Steps in Dementia Research

More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand how these drugs influence dementia risk. Randomized controlled trials will be crucial in determining whether existing medications can be repurposed for dementia prevention. Investigating the biological mechanisms behind these effects could also reveal new insights into dementia’s causes.

This study underscores the importance of addressing inflammation and infections as part of a broader brain health strategy. By repurposing existing drugs, researchers may accelerate treatment development—offering new hope in the fight against dementia.

Read Original Article: Science Alert

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