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A surprising new study suggests that medications commonly prescribed for enlarged prostate may also lower the risk of developing dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), a challenging neurodegenerative condition. Published online in Neurology on June 19, 2024, researchers from the University of Iowa Health Care uncovered a potential link between certain prostate medications and a reduced risk of DLB, echoing previous findings related to Parkinson’s disease.
Lead author Jacob Simmering, Ph.D., explained the significance of the discovery: “Current treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like DLB only address symptoms, not the underlying disease progression. Our study indicates that medications like terazosin, doxazosin, and alfuzosin may possess neuroprotective properties that could potentially alter this trajectory.”
Dementia with Lewy bodies, characterized by rapid cognitive decline and dementia, affects about 3 to 7% of dementia cases, though it remains less common than Parkinson’s disease. As the population ages, the prevalence of DLB is expected to rise, underscoring the need for effective treatment options.
The study analyzed data from over 643,000 men without prior DLB history who initiated treatment with one of six drugs used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Of these medications, terazosin, doxazosin, and alfuzosin were noted for their ability to enhance energy production in brain cells, a quality thought to potentially mitigate neurodegenerative processes.
“We observed a significant reduction in the risk of developing DLB among men taking terazosin-type medications compared to those on other BPH drugs,” noted Simmering. “Specifically, there was approximately a 40% lower risk compared to men using tamsulosin, and a 37% lower risk compared to users of five alpha reductase inhibitors.”
However, the study’s observational nature means it establishes correlation rather than causation. Factors such as patient characteristics and potential biases could influence the outcomes. Furthermore, the study exclusively focused on men due to the medications’ prescribed use for prostate conditions, leaving open questions about applicability to women.
Despite these limitations, the findings offer promising insights into the potential repurposing of existing medications to combat DLB and other neurodegenerative diseases. The drugs in question are already FDA-approved, cost-effective, and have a long-standing safety profile.
“If further research confirms our observations, these medications could represent a significant advance in managing DLB, potentially preserving cognitive function and improving quality of life for patients,” Simmering concluded.
The implications of this study extend beyond prostate health, highlighting a novel avenue in the search for therapies that could modify the course of debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.
For more details, the study titled “Association of Terazosin, Doxazosin, or Alfuzosin Use and Risk of Dementia With Lewy Bodies in Men” can be accessed in Neurology (2024).
