Existing HIV Drugs Show Promise in Reducing Alzheimer’s Risk, Study Finds

A widely used class of HIV medications may significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia, New York Post reports.

Researchers estimate that this discovery could potentially help prevent up to one million new cases of Alzheimer’s each year.

The medications in question are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which have long been used to suppress the replication of HIV in the body. Scientists at the University of Virginia analyzed health data from more than 270,000 individuals aged 50 and older and found that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s decreased by 6% to 13% for each year a patient was on NRTIs.

Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, the study’s lead author and founding director of the University’s Center for Advanced Vision Science, explained the significance of the findings:

“Our results suggest that taking these drugs could prevent approximately one million new cases of Alzheimer’s disease every year.”

The researchers believe NRTIs may exert this protective effect by blocking inflammasomes—components of the immune system that have been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s. While the exact mechanisms remain under investigation, the study offers encouraging evidence that a drug already on the market could play a preventive role in battling a disease that currently affects nearly 7 million Americans, a number projected to double by 2060.

The next step for researchers will be to confirm these findings in controlled clinical trials. Ambati noted that his team has also developed a new, more targeted inflammasome-blocking drug named K9, which they describe as a safer and more effective alternative to existing NRTIs. K9 is currently in clinical trials for other diseases and may soon be tested specifically for Alzheimer’s.

This study joins a growing body of research exploring novel approaches to Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment. Other recent findings include a link between the shingles vaccine and reduced dementia risk, and a compound in herbs like rosemary and sage showing memory-restoring effects in animal models.