Researchers at University of Iowa Health Care have found that terazosin, an FDA-approved drug commonly used to treat enlarged prostate and high blood pressure, may have potential to help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Building on earlier research into Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, the team investigated whether the drug’s ability to boost energy production in brain cells could also be beneficial in Alzheimer’s disease.
The study examined terazosin in laboratory models, mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, and patient databases. Researchers found that the drug increased cellular energy levels, reduced the buildup of amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and improved certain memory and cognitive measures in mice. Analysis of patient data also suggested that people taking terazosin or similar metabolism-enhancing medications experienced slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
While the findings are promising, researchers emphasize that clinical trials are still needed to confirm the drug’s effectiveness in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Because terazosin is already widely used and has an established safety profile, advancing to clinical testing may be more straightforward than developing a new drug from scratch.
Read more on the University of Iowa’s website to learn about the study and its potential implications for future Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
