Dementia
Experts flag shingles vaccine, sildenafil and riluzole as leading Alzheimer’s repurposing candidates
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A University of Exeter-led study funded by Alzheimer’s Society has identified three already-approved medicines—the shingles vaccine Zostavax, sildenafil (Viagra) and riluzole—as top “priority” candidates to be tested in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, after a structured review of 80 existing drugs by an international expert panel.
A study of over 375,000 Finns has linked hospital treatment for severe infections like cystitis and pneumonia to a higher risk of developing dementia within five to six years. Researchers identified 29 conditions associated with at least a 20 percent increased risk, with infections playing a key role. The findings suggest that preventing such infections could help modify dementia risk.
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High meat intake may reduce dementia risk for older people with genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's, per a Karolinska Institutet study. The study tracked over 2,100 individuals aged 60 and older for up to 15 years. Findings apply to carriers of specific apoe gene variants.
A long-term analysis of more than 200,000 UK Biobank participants found that diets with lower glycemic index values were associated with a lower risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, while higher dietary glycemic load was tied to a higher risk.
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A new study reveals that despite guidelines, about one in four Medicare beneficiaries with dementia continue to receive brain-altering medications linked to falls and confusion. Prescribing rates have declined overall from 20% to 16% between 2013 and 2021, but those with cognitive impairment face higher risks. Researchers highlight the need for better documentation and alternatives to improve care safety.
Prof KVS Hari, director of the Centre for Brain Research at IISc Bengaluru, emphasized digital biomarkers for early detection and prevention of dementia. He noted that India's rapidly aging population makes dementia a major public health challenge. The centre focuses on data collection and AI to understand disease progression in the Indian context.
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Alzheimer's trials are shifting to a multi-target approach inspired by cancer research, even after failures with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide. Only two drugs, Eli Lilly's Kisunla and Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi, are widely approved to slow progression. This evolution treats the brain-wasting disease as a complex system, seeking new ways to halt it amid its global impact.
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