Repurposing Prescription Medications for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Clinical Implications, a Narrative Review

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, with prevalence growing alongside life expectancy. The burden of disease on healthcare systems globally is on the rise, as current treatments have failed to mitigate its morbidity, and this remains a dire public health concern. AD is characterized by the hallmarks of β-amyloid plaque deposition and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. Clinical diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and a series of testable criteria. Current treatments primarily focus on symptom management, while trials are underway to develop pharmaceuticals that may reduce the production of amyloid plaques and tau proteins. Alternatives include the repurposing of drugs already on market for treatment of other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, depression, epilepsy, and hypercholesterolemia. Due to their approved use in the management of other diseases, already licensed compounds proceed through trials in a faster and more cost-effective manner than un-licensed compounds. The aim of this paper is to draw attention to already-licensed compounds currently on the market that may prove effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease.