Antiretroviral drug use has been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study. These drugs, used to treat retrovirus infections, also suppress transposable elements in the genome that can contribute to age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The study evaluated the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in HIV patients aged 60 and older with exposure to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) compared to those without exposure. Results showed a significantly decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients exposed to NRTIs, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit in treating cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative conditions. Controlled clinical trials using NRTIs on patients with mild cognitive impairment, pre-symptomatic familial AD, and other conditions are recommended based on these findings.
