Existing HIV medication could prevent up to 1 million Alzheimer’s cases yearly
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at UVA Health at the University of Virginia has found that an existing drug for HIV could potentially double as a preventative therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. NRTIs, which are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, are antivirals that are commonly used to treat HIV infection. However, the study revealed that patients taking NRTIs were less likely to develop the common form of dementia.
Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, the lead study author and professor of ophthalmology at UVA, explained that there was a significant annual reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in people taking NRTIs for every year of use of these drugs. The researchers analyzed 24 years of health insurance data, including 270,000 patients, and found that the Alzheimer’s risk reduction among patients taking NRTIs was both significant and substantial. The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
The researchers discovered that NRTIs not only prevent the replication of the HIV virus but also inhibit the activation of inflammasomes, which are proteins that play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Ambati emphasized that the level of protection provided by NRTIs against Alzheimer’s disease was quite surprising and could potentially translate into 60,000 fewer cases of the disease in the U.S. each year and up to one million fewer cases worldwide.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, noted that inflammasomes are involved in triggering the release of inflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s. He highlighted the potential of repurposing existing drugs like NRTIs to offer a promising pathway for developing new Alzheimer’s treatments.
Rebecca Edelmeyer, Ph.D., vice president of Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, described the study’s findings as interesting and emphasized the importance of further research and clinical trials to fully understand the potential use of NRTIs in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s. She noted that repurposing existing drugs can expedite the development of new treatments as their safety and side effects are already known.
While the study has limitations as it is based on retrospective health insurance database analysis, Dr. Ambati stressed that the link between NRTIs and Alzheimer’s disease found in multiple databases increases confidence in the results. The researchers are now focusing on a new drug called K9, which is safer and more effective than NRTIs in blocking inflammasomes. Clinical trials for K9 in Alzheimer’s treatment are planned.
It is important to note that individuals should not take NRTIs for Alzheimer’s prevention without participating in a clinical trial. Dr. Ambati advised those interested in participating in trials to be on the lookout for opportunities for themselves or their loved ones. With nearly seven million people in the U.S. currently living with Alzheimer’s and the numbers expected to rise, the potential of repurposing existing drugs like NRTIs could offer hope for future treatments.
