Common HIV Drugs Show Potential in Reducing Alzheimer’s Disease, Study Finds
Summary
Groundbreaking research has revealed that common HIV drugs, specifically reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors, have the potential to decrease the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in patients. The study, based on anonymized prescription data from over 225,000 individuals, found that HIV-positive patients taking RT inhibitors exhibited a significantly lower rate of AD compared to the general population. This discovery builds upon previous findings that Alzheimer’s-linked genes could be targeted by HIV treatments, potentially opening new avenues for combating the escalating AD crisis.
Key Facts
- The study analyzed prescription data from 225,000 individuals, showing that HIV-positive patients over the age of 60 taking RT inhibitors had a lower number of Alzheimer’s diagnoses compared to their non-HIV counterparts.
- RT inhibitors, initially developed to treat HIV, may inhibit similar enzymes in the brain, suggesting a potential mechanism for their impact on Alzheimer’s disease.
- The research received support from reputable foundations and the NIH, underscoring its credibility and the significant interest in translating these findings into new treatments for AD.
Alarming Rise in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) currently afflicts nearly seven million people in the U.S. This number is expected to soar to nearly 13 million by 2050, representing a significant unmet medical need. Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have uncovered a promising real-world connection between common HIV drugs and a reduced incidence of AD.
Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., and his team have published their study in the esteemed journal, Pharmaceuticals. This research, a follow-up to their landmark publication in Nature in 2018, expands upon the understanding of how somatic gene recombination in neurons can generate numerous new gene variants in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, their earlier study discovered the striking similarity between the recombination process of the Alzheimer’s-linked gene, APP, and the enzymatic activity found in HIV.
The Role of Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
The enzyme known as reverse transcriptase (RT) plays a crucial role in the replication of RNA molecules and converting them into complementary DNA duplicates. HIV and several other viruses depend on this enzyme to establish a persistent infection, which led to the development of RT inhibitors as a fundamental component of HIV treatment regimens.
Based on the presence of distinct RTs in the brain, distinct from those in viruses, researchers became curious whether inhibiting brain RTs with HIV drugs might benefit AD patients.
The team undertook a comprehensive analysis of anonymized medical records and prescription claims from more than 225,000 control and HIV-positive patients. The subsequent findings revealed a remarkable association between RT inhibitor exposure and a significantly reduced incidence and prevalence of AD.
Highlighting the study’s significance, Jerold Chun explains, “We scrutinized HIV-positive individuals taking RT inhibitors and other combined antiretroviral therapies as they aged, and we asked the question: ‘How many of them developed Alzheimer’s disease?’ The answer reaffirms the positive correlation between HIV drugs and a reduced AD risk.”
The study encompassed over 150,000 HIV-negative patients over the age of 60 with medical insurance claims related to common cold treatment, serving as the control group. In living HIV-positive individuals, there were 2.46 Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses for every 1,000 people, compared to 6.15 cases within the general population.
Despite the crude analysis performed in this study, Chun acknowledges the need to identify the specific versions of RTs involved in the AD brain. This discovery could enable the development of more targeted treatments to combat the disease. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of pursuing prospective clinical trials involving RT inhibitors for individuals in the early stages of AD.
Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., is a respected professor in the Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research at Sanford Burnham Prebys. Additional authors of this study include Tiffany W. Chow, Mark Raupp, Matthew W. Reynolds, Siying Li, and Gwendolyn E. Kaeser.
Drawing Attention to Alzheimer’s Disease Crisis
As the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, the necessity for effective therapies is more critical than ever. The study’s findings, supported by the National Institute on Aging, the Shaffer Family Foundation, and the Bruce Ford & Anne Smith Bundy Foundation, present a vital opportunity for further research and development.
Despite the limitations of this retrospective study, its outcome underlines a potential breakthrough in the treatment of AD. The next crucial steps involve identifying the specific brain RTs at work in AD and exploring more refined treatment options. Bringing us closer to addressing the urgent medical need presented by Alzheimer’s disease.
