Study pinpoints three existing medications that could be repurposed to treat Alzheimer’s disease
A study published in Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy has pinpointed three medications that could be repurposed for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Repurposing existing medications is a quicker process than developing new drugs and is a topic we’ve reported on previously here: https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/?s=repurposing
The study, led by Professors Clive Ballard and Anne Corbett from the University of Exeter, found that the shingles vaccines (Zostavax), Viagra (sildenafil) and a drug to treat Motor Neurone Disease (riluzole) are the most promising existing medications that could be repurposed, with the shingles vaccine showing the most benefit.
The study involved an international panel of 21 dementia experts from universities, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry, alongside people affected by dementia, reviewing 80 existing drugs to identify which might have the greatest potential to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The panel has recommended that the 3 drugs identified should now be tested in clinical trials to understand their benefit for people with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Anne Corbett, Professor of Dementia Research at the University of Exeter, says:
“Beating dementia will take every avenue of research – from using what we already know, to discovering new drugs to treat and prevent the condition. Drug repurposing is a vital part of that mix, helping us turn today’s medicine for one condition into tomorrow’s treatment for another.”
Read the study here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13195-025-01895-4