Some medications could have the unintended benefit of reducing dementia risk.
That’s according to a recent study by the universities of Cambridge and Exeter, where researchers evaluated several existing drugs to see if they could do double-duty as dementia treatments.
The team reviewed data from 14 prior studies, which included more than 130 million patients and one million dementia cases, according to a press release.
They determined that several classes of prescription drugs were shown to affect dementia risk.
The findings were published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions.
“We urgently need new treatments to slow the progress of dementia, if not to prevent it,” said co-first author Dr. Ben Underwood, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, in the release.
“If we can find drugs that are already licensed for other conditions, then we can get them into trials and — crucially — may be able to make them available to patients much, much faster than we could do for an entirely new drug.”
Drugs that reduce and increase risk
Antibiotics, antivirals, anticoagulants (blood thinners) and anticonvulsants (medications used to prevent or treat seizures) were all linked to a reduced risk of dementia, according to the study.
Some drugs were associated with an increased risk of dementia, including antipsychotic medications.
There was “conflicting evidence” for other classes of drugs, including those indicated for blood pressure, depression and diabetes.
Two medications are currently approved for Alzheimer’s treatment in the U.S. — lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla).
Both are monoclonal antibodies that are administered via IV infusions. They work by reducing the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain, but they are only effective for those with early-stage Alzheimer’s and have the potential for some serious side effects, according to experts.
“You should never change your medicine without first discussing it with your doctor.”
Dr. Chris Vercammen, a board-certified internal medicine physician at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), was not involved in the study but shared his reaction to the findings.
“This review identifies classes of medications that have an association with an increased risk of dementia,” Vercammen, who specializes in geriatrics and palliative care, told Fox News Digital.
Lourida emphasized that all drugs have benefits and risks.
“You should never change your medicine without first discussing it with your doctor, and you should speak to them if you have any concerns.”
Vercammen agrees that patients who are considering new medications or treatments should consult with their doctors.
“Though dementia lacks a cure and available drugs present challenges, my experience highlights the value of personalized care,” he told Fox News Digital.
“This involves addressing the practical needs of the person living with dementia and their caregivers — the ‘second patients’ — who provide essential daily support. This is the essence of continuous, compassionate care in the absence of a cure.”
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