• HIV drugs called NRTIs are associated with a 6-13% annual reduction in Alzheimer's risk.
• NRTIs block inflammasomes, which are immune system components implicated in Alzheimer's development.
• Researchers are advocating for clinical trials to assess the potential of NRTIs and a new drug, K9, in preventing Alzheimer's.

A recent study by UVA Health scientists suggests a potential link between HIV drugs called NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research involved analyzing two large health insurance databases, revealing a 6% to 13% annual decrease in Alzheimer's risk among patients prescribed NRTIs. This finding highlights a possible new avenue for Alzheimer's prevention, as NRTIs are known to block inflammasomes, immune system agents implicated in the disease's development.

• What: Research indicates that NRTIs, a type of HIV drug, may significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
• Who: UVA Health scientists, led by Jayakrishna Ambati, MD, conducted the research. The study involved over 270,000 patients from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration Database and the MarketScan database.
• When: The study reviewed 24 years of patient data from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration Database and 14 years of data from the MarketScan database. Findings were published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Where: The research was conducted in the United States, utilizing data from national health databases. The research originated from the University of Virginia.

The study's findings suggest a promising avenue for Alzheimer's prevention by repurposing existing HIV drugs. The mechanism of action, involving the blocking of inflammasomes, provides a biological basis for the observed reduction in Alzheimer's risk. The call for clinical trials is a crucial next step to validate these findings and assess the safety and efficacy of NRTIs in preventing Alzheimer's. The development of K9, a potentially safer and more effective inflammasome-blocking drug, further enhances the prospects for therapeutic intervention.

It’s estimated that over 10 million people around the world develop Alzheimer’s disease annually. Our results suggest that taking these drugs could prevent approximately 1 million new cases of Alzheimer’s disease every year.

The research linking HIV drugs (NRTIs) to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease offers a potentially significant advancement in the fight against this debilitating condition. The study's findings warrant further investigation through clinical trials to determine the efficacy and safety of NRTIs and related drugs like K9 in preventing Alzheimer's. If validated, this approach could substantially reduce the global burden of Alzheimer's disease.