Recent studies suggest three established medications, including a shingles vaccine, could help in treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Recent research has unveiled that existing medications could play a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease treatment or prevention. Instead of developing new drugs from scratch, a team from the University of Exeter, funded by the Alzheimer's Society, reviewed previously approved medications to identify potential candidates for Alzheimer’s therapy.
Among 80 existing drugs evaluated, the shingles vaccine (Zostavax) emerged as the leading contender. Viagra (sildenafil) and riluzole, typically prescribed for motor neurone disease, also showed significant potential. Alzheimer’s disease remains a pressing health concern, especially in the UK, where it is the primary cause of death for approximately one million individuals. Public health experts note that one in three people born today will face dementia in their lifetime, underscoring the urgency for effective treatments.
Developing new pharmaceuticals can be a lengthy and costly endeavor, often taking 10 to 15 years and necessitating billions in investment—with no certainty of success. Repurposing medications already approved can offer a more expedient and economical route towards viable Alzheimer’s treatments.
This investigation garnered support from various institutions, including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Exeter Biomedical Research Centre. A diverse panel of 21 specialists from academia, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical sector, complemented by input from individuals impacted by dementia, meticulously assessed the potential of various medications. Their collaborative effort culminated in the identification of three priority candidates, all of which are linked to biological processes associated with Alzheimer’s, display encouraging results in animal and cellular studies, and are deemed safe for older populations.
Now, experts advocate for clinical trials to explore whether these drugs are genuinely beneficial for those already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or at heightened risk. Zostavax stands out due to its established safety profile and the requirement for only two doses. Prior studies suggest that individuals who received this vaccine were approximately 16% less likely to develop dementia.
The researchers aspire to initiate a large-scale clinical trial within the UK, aiming to track participants through the PROTECT online registry. This platform enables volunteers to periodically update their health statuses and partake in ongoing brain health research.
While five other medications were shortlisted for consideration, they ultimately fell short of being classified as priority candidates. These included fingolimod (for multiple sclerosis), vortioxetine (for major depressive disorder), microlithium (for various forms of depression), dasitinib (for leukemia), and cytisine (used in anesthesia).
Dr. Anne Corbett, a professor at the University of Exeter specializing in dementia research, emphasized the importance of exploring every avenue to combat dementia—from leveraging existing knowledge to discovering new therapeutic agents. "Drug repurposing is a key component of this approach, allowing us to transform current treatments for one condition into future therapies for another," she stated. However, she cautioned that rigorous clinical trials are needed to ascertain whether these medications could effectively treat or prevent Alzheimer’s.
Professor Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, expressed optimism about the potential of repurposed drugs. She likened the current effort to past successes, such as aspirin’s transition from pain relief to a preventive measure for heart attacks and strokes. “This is the kind of progress we hope to achieve in Alzheimer’s research, highlighting why drug repurposing represents an exciting frontier,” she said.
Materials provided by University of Exeter. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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