Yulia Dadly from Alzheimer’s Research UK states that the recommendation of these drugs for the prevention of dementia is too early. However, some trials provide hope. New research suggests that repurposing existing drugs, such as antiviral agents, antibiotics, and vaccines, may help combat dementia.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Exeter, as reported by The Guardian, found that these agents are linked to a reduced risk of dementia, supporting theories that infections may play a certain role in the emergence of some cases of memory loss.
The study analyzed data from 14 large studies encompassing more than 130 million people and over a million cases of dementia. Although the results were not definitive, researchers found correlations between specific drugs and significantly lower risks of dementia.
However, some experts were cautious. "If we can utilize already licensed drugs again, we might be able to introduce them to patients quickly, rather than developing entirely new treatments," he said.
Richard Oakley from Alzheimer’s Society also supported this idea. He said: "This approach could save millions and drastically reduce the time needed for developing effective medications for dementia." Ben Andervud from the University of Cambridge emphasized the urgent need to find effective means for treating dementia.
