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Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a devastating neurodegenerative condition affecting millions worldwide, has long posed a significant challenge to the medical community. However, new research from scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting a potential link between common HIV drugs and a reduced incidence of AD.
Led by Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., the study, published in Pharmaceuticals, delves into the intriguing connection between HIV drugs and Alzheimer’s disease. Building on previous groundbreaking research from Chun’s lab, which identified somatic gene recombination in neurons and its association with AD, the study sheds light on the role of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase (RT) in both HIV and AD.
RT, known for its involvement in HIV infection, also plays a crucial role in the brain, where it differs from its viral counterpart. To explore the impact of RT inhibitors on AD, Chun’s team analyzed medical records of over 225,000 individuals, including both control and HIV-positive patients.
The findings revealed a significant association between RT inhibitor exposure and a reduced incidence and prevalence of AD. Among HIV-positive individuals taking these inhibitors, there were notably fewer cases of Alzheimer’s disease compared to the general population.
“What we’re looking at now is very crude,” Chun explains, emphasizing the need for further research to identify specific versions of RTs at work in the AD brain. This, he believes, could pave the way for more targeted treatments tailored to the unique mechanisms of AD.
The retrospective study, made possible through collaboration with health information technology firm IQVIA, underscores the potential of repurposing existing drugs to tackle complex neurological conditions like AD. While prospective clinical trials are needed to validate these findings, the study offers promising insights into novel avenues for AD treatment.
Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research at Sanford Burnham Prebys, spearheaded the research alongside collaborators including Tiffany W. Chow, Mark Raupp, Matthew W. Reynolds, Siying Li, and Gwendolyn E. Kaeser.
Funding from the National Institute on Aging — NIH, the Shaffer Family Foundation, and the Bruce Ford & Anne Smith Bundy Foundation supported this groundbreaking work, highlighting the collaborative efforts driving advancements in Alzheimer’s research. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of neurodegenerative diseases, studies like this offer hope for a future where effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are within reach.
