Recent research has brought hope to the medical community and those affected by Alzheimer’s, a degenerative brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to perform simple tasks. Scientists at the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cambridge University have discovered that an existing HIV drug, maraviroc (Selzentry), could potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related disorders.
Maraviroc: A Potential Pathway to Alzheimer’s Treatment
The researchers, led by senior author Professor David Rubinsztein, found that maraviroc helps to clear rogue proteins in the brain. Elimination of such proteins slows down the progress of Alzheimer’s. Microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, can cause damage to nerve cells when defective, instead of protecting them. By studying mice with Huntington’s disease, a genetic condition with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, the team discovered that maraviroc prevents the build-up of harmful plaque deposits on nerve cells, a process that ultimately hinders their proper function.
If treatment with maraviroc is started before symptoms become severe, it can slow down memory loss. While maraviroc itself may not be the definitive solution, Rubinsztein believes it shows a possible direction for future treatments, potentially involving other HIV drug candidates that failed in earlier stages of development.
Donanemab: Another Promising Treatment on the Horizon
In addition to maraviroc, the new drug donanemab, developed by pharmaceutical giant Lilly, has also shown potential in slowing Alzheimer’s progression. In a study of 1,182 individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s, donanemab reduced the progression of the disease by 35% compared to a placebo. This builds on the previous success of lecanemab (marketed as Leqembi), which was approved by the FDA last year and found to slow Alzheimer’s progression by around 27%.
Dr. Cath Mummery, of the UK’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, told BBC News that the ongoing research signals a shift in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, moving towards long-term disease management rather than palliative and supportive care.
However, donanemab is not without risks. Serious side effects, including brain swelling, affected about a third of the study participants, with two fatalities resulting directly from this side effect. The drug has yet to be submitted for approval.
While these developments do not constitute a cure for Alzheimer’s, they offer hope that more effective treatments may soon be within reach for those suffering from this debilitating disease and their caregivers.