EXISTING drugs already dished out on the NHS could slash dementia risk, a new study has revealed.
While new drugs are emerging to treat the memory-robbing disease, experts argue that repurposing medications already used for other conditions could also reduce dementia risk.
"Understanding whether drugs in current use could be re-purposed for dementia is an urgent priority," said academics from the University of Cambridge and University of Exeter, who conducted a review of studies looking at drugs linked to dementia risk.
Their findings showed that certain vaccines, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics could potentially lower the risk of dementia.
The review examined 14 studies tracking the health of over 130 million people, identifying around one million cases of dementia.
Some medications appear to have a protective effect. Dr. Ben Underwood from Cambridge University said, "We urgently need new treatments to slow the progress of dementia, if not to prevent it.
"If we can find drugs that are already licensed for other conditions, then we can get them into trials and – crucially – make them available to patients much faster than for entirely new drugs."
Vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid, and diphtheria, as well as the BCG vaccine, which protects against tuberculosis, showed potential benefits.
The study also found that certain antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs were linked to a reduced dementia risk.
Around 944,000 Brits are currently living with dementia and experts predict the numbers will exceed one million by the end of the decade.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of the condition, and is thought to be caused by build-ups of proteins in the brain, including tau and amyloid.
There is currently no cure for the disease, although promising drugs to slow down its progress are currently in trials.
The same study also found some medications were linked to increased risk.
The review found that antipsychotics, drugs for diabetes, some antidepressants, and antihypertensives seemed to raise dementia risk.
But researchers stressed that this could be due to "reverse causation," where dementia causes the prescription of these medications, rather than the drugs increasing risk.
For instance, a person with early dementia may be prescribed an antidepressant for low mood, meaning the link to antidepressants could be due to dementia itself leading to higher prescriptions.
"The fact these drugs are already available is likely to reduce cost and make them more likely to be approved for use in the NHS," Dr Underwood explained.
He highlighted that drugs already approved for other uses could speed up trials and potentially be available to patients more quickly.
Dr Ilianna Lourida added: "Because a particular drug is associated with an altered risk of dementia, it doesn't necessarily mean it causes or helps in dementia.
Although these findings are interesting, it is too early to say if these medications can reduce the risk of dementia
Dr Julia Dudley
"We know that diabetes increases your risk of dementia, for example, so anyone on medication to manage their glucose levels would naturally also be at a higher risk of dementia – but that doesn't mean the drug increases your risk."
Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer's Society, said: "If we can repurpose drugs that have already been shown to be safe and approved for use for other conditions, this could save millions of pounds and decades of research.
"This study provides some groundwork and indicates which drugs should be prioritised for further investigation."
While these results are promising, researchers urge caution.
Dr Julia Dudley from Alzheimer's Research UK explained: "Although these findings are interesting, it is too early to say if these medications can reduce the risk of dementia.
"Researchers will need to confirm these findings in clinical trials and investigate how these medications could potentially protect the brain against dementia."
THERE are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing dementia. Alzheimer's Society offers the following tips:
Do regular physical exercise
Regular physical activity is considered one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia.
There are two main types - aerobic activity and strength-building activity.
Aerobic activity includes activities like brisk walking, running and swimming.
Strength-building includes exercises like squats and push-ups. A combination of both types of activity is best.
Drink less alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol exposes your brain to high levels of harmful chemicals.
You should avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol each week. This is the equivalent of one pint of beer and a small glass of wine each day.
Don't smoke
Smoking harms the circulation of blood around, particularly blood vessels in the brain.
The earlier you stop smoking, the more brain damage you'll avoid.
Stay mentally well and socially active
People who have periods of depression and are socially isolated are at higher risk of developing dementia.
Engaging in social activities can help build up your brain's ability to relieve stress and improve your mood.
Manage long-term health conditions
Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can increase the risk of getting dementia. Going for a health check to see if you have any of these is advised.
Eating well and regularly exercising can help prevent and manage these conditions.
Protect your eyesight and hearing
Uncorrected vision loss can increase the risk of dementia. Similarly, hearing loss is tied to increased risk of dementia and could be an early symptom.
The use of hearing aids has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia to the level of a person with normal hearing.
Protect your head
Traumatic brain injuries caused by a blow or jolt to the head, particularly when a person is knocked unconscious, can start a process in the brain where the substances that cause Alzheimer's disease build up around the injured area.
If you're in a situation where there's higher-than-normal risk of head injury, such as riding a bike or playing cricket, make sure to wear protective headgear.
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