San Diego, California – A recent study from Sanford Burnham Prebys in San Diego has revealed a potential link between common HIV drugs and a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Utilizing data from over 225,000 individuals, researchers found that HIV-positive patients taking reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors showed a lower rate of AD compared to the general population.
The study builds upon previous research suggesting that Alzheimer’s-linked genes could be affected by enzymes similar to those targeted by HIV treatments. This discovery opens up the possibility of using existing drugs to develop new therapeutic strategies for combating the growing crisis of AD.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys, led by Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., conducted the study, which was published in Pharmaceuticals. Their research delves into the relationship between brain somatic gene recombination and endogenous reverse transcriptases (RTs) in Alzheimer’s disease, hinting at RT inhibitors as potential prophylactics or therapeutics.
By analyzing anonymized medical records and prescription claims, the team observed a significantly lower incidence and prevalence of AD among HIV-positive individuals who had been exposed to RT inhibitors. The study encompassed a diverse population of over 225,000 individuals, including both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients over the age of 60.
In the study, patients who had taken RT inhibitors showed a reduced risk of developing AD compared to those who had not. These findings suggest a potential new avenue for exploring treatments for AD, emphasizing the importance of further research and prospective clinical trials.
Moving forward, the team plans to investigate different forms of RTs present in the AD brain to develop more targeted treatments. The study was supported by funding from the National Institute on Aging – NIH, the Shaffer Family Foundation, and the Bruce Ford & Anne Smith Bundy Foundation.
Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys, notes that while the current findings are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play. The team’s next steps involve identifying specific RT variants in the AD brain and conducting prospective clinical trials with early AD patients to assess the efficacy of RT inhibitors.
Overall, the study sheds light on a potential connection between common HIV drugs and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, offering hope for new treatment strategies in the future.