ISLAMABAD, June 21 (Online): Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia affecting older adults.
\nThere is currently no cure for dementia with Lewy bodies.
\nNew therapies are needed to help prevent the development of this condition.
\nResearchers from the University of Iowa report that males taking three commonly prescribed prostate medications may lower their risk of developing dementia with Lewy bodies.
\nDementia with Lewy bodies \u2014 also known as Lewy body dementia \u2014 is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia affecting older adults, accounting for between 15\u201320%Trusted Source of all dementia cases.<\/p>\n
Dementia with Lewy bodies is most likely caused by deposits of a protein called alpha-synucleinTrusted Source in the brain. There is currently no cure for dementia with Lewy bodies, though some medications, physical therapy, and other interventions are available to help manage the disease\u2019s symptoms.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, we [only] have therapies for symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia with Lewy bodies,\u201d explained Jacob E. Simmering, PhD, assistant professor of internal medicine \u2014 pulmonary, critical care, and occupational medicine at the University of Iowa, and lead author of a new study recently published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can help reduce the severity of the symptoms but can\u2019t stop the disease from progressing,\u201c he explained. \u201cThis is similar to how taking a Tylenol can help with the pain associated with an injury but doesn\u2019t cause the injury to heal any faster.\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to find a way to slow the progression \u2014 or prevent the development \u2014 of dementia with Lewy bodies,\u201d Simmering told Medical News Today.<\/p>\n
In their new study, Simmering and his team found that males taking three commonly prescribed prostate medications may lower their risk of developing dementia with Lewy bodies.<\/p>\n
Why prostate drugs for brain health?
\nFor this study, researchers analyzed health information data for almost 643,000 males taking medication to treat urinary issues caused by an enlarged prostate.<\/p>\n
About 126,000 participants were taking the prostate medications terazosinTrusted Source, doxazosinTrusted Source, or alfuzosinTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe became interested in these medications \u2014 terazosin, doxazosin, and alfuzosin \u2014 a bit over 5 years ago,\u201d Simmering explained to MNT. \u201cIt was realized [then] that the medications have a secondary effect where they activate an enzyme called PGK1.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPGK1 is important because it is the first enzyme that produces ATPTrusted Source \u2014 the chemical cells use for energy,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe then demonstrated in bench work with animal models \u2014 flies, rodents \u2014 that these medications seemed to increase ATP molecules in cells and slow or stop the development of neurodegeneration in these models.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 Jacob E. Simmering, PhD<\/p>\n
How terazosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin compare to other prostate drugs
\nResearchers compared the findings from the participants taking terazosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin to participants taking other prostate medications \u2014 about 437,000 taking tamsulosin and about 80,000 on 5ARIsTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
\u201cTerazosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin \u2014 our three medications that we think increased energy in the cell \u2014 and tamsulosin are all of the same class of medications,\u201d Simmering explained. \u201cAll are commonly used to treat this prostate disorder \u2014 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) \u2014 and work with similar levels of effectiveness. These medications reduce the symptoms of BPH almost immediately once started.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, he noted, \u201c[t]he 5ARIs are of a different medication class and work differently.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile terazosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin, and tamsulosin help relax muscles around the bladder allowing easier urination, 5ARIs act to reduce the size of the enlarged prostate. 5ARIs work through a hormonal process and take much longer to kick in \u2014 a couple [of] months,\u201d Simmering pointed out.<\/p>\n
Men on terazosin 40% less likely to develop dementia with Lewy bodies
\nAll study participants were followed for an average of 3 years to see who developed dementia with Lewy bodies.<\/p>\n
Upon analysis, the scientists reported that 195 participants taking terazosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin developed dementia with Lewy bodies for a rate of 5.21 cases per 10,000 people per year.<\/p>\n
In comparison, 1,286 participants taking tamsulosin developed dementia with Lewy bodies for a rate of 10.76 cases per 10,000 people per year, and 193 participants in the 5ARIs group developed dementia with Lewy bodies for a rate of 7.78 cases per 10,000 people per year.<\/p>\n
After factoring in age and other health conditions, Simmering and his team discovered that male participants taking terazosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin were 40% less likely to develop dementia with Lewy bodies than participants taking tamsulosin, and 37% less likely than those taking the 5ARIs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am excited about these results for many reasons,\u201d Simmering told us. \u201c[Dementia with Lewy bodies] is a progressive disease in dire need of an effective neuroprotective therapy. We have decades of clinical experience and safety data on these medications, often in elderly patients \u2014 the population at the most risk of neurodegenerative diseases.\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cThe theorized mechanism \u2014 activation of PGK1 creates more energy for the cell to slow or stop the neurodegeneration associated with these diseases \u2014 suggests a broad potential benefit,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis association between these prostate medications and risk of [dementia with Lewy bodies] doesn\u2019t provide proof of an effect but it is an exciting development and, hopefully, will someday lead to a treatment demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial,\u201d added Simmering.<\/p>\n
New ways to lower dementia with Lewy bodies risk needed
\nAfter reviewing this study, Verna Porter, MD, a board-certified neurologist and director of the Dementia, Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA, not involved in this research, told MNT she was cautiously optimistic about the findings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe findings are promising, suggesting that certain commonly used prostate drugs could potentially offer a protective effect against [dementia with Lewy bodies],\u201c Porter told us. \u201cGiven the significant impact [dementia with Lewy bodies] has on patients\u2019 quality of life and the current lack of effective preventive treatments, this study opens a potential new avenue for reducing the risk of this debilitating disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever,\u201c she cautioned, \u201cI am also aware that the study establishes an association rather than causation, so further research is necessary to confirm these findings and understand the underlying mechanisms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Porter said there are several reasons why researchers need to continue exploring new ways to reduce dementia with Lewy bodies risk, including the fact that dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, there are no drugs specifically approved to prevent or treat [dementia with Lewy bodies] effectively,\u201d she emphasized. \u201cFinding new methods or repurposing existing drugs could help to address this significant therapeutic gap.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, neurodegenerative diseases, including [dementia with Lewy bodies], pose a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems due to the need for long-term care and management,\u201d Porter added.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreventive strategies could potentially reduce these costs. Identifying ways to reduce the risk of [dementia with Lewy bodies] can greatly enhance the quality of life for at-risk populations, preserving cognitive function and independence for a longer period,\u201d explained the specialist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, June 21 (Online): Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia affecting older adults. There is currently no cure for dementia with Lewy bodies. New therapies are needed to help prevent the development of this condition. Researchers from the University of […]<\/p>\n
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