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ADHD medications for children may be helpful in combating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
British researchers from Imperial College of London searched for various clinical trials on the use of different noradrenergic molecules that improved cognitive and/or neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with neurodegenerative diseases. This “meta-analysis” was published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
A noradrenergic network necessary for different cognitive processes
These attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs (like Ritalin) target norepinephrine, which is released by a network of specialized neurons. This neurotransmitter is essential for various brain cognitive processes such as attention, learning, memory, action readiness, and suppression of inappropriate behaviors.
Noradrenergic disruption occurs early in Alzheimer’s disease and contributes to the cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms of the disease. As such, this line of work to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease therefore seems consistent for researchers.
To support their intuition, the researchers studied a total of 19 randomized controlled trials on Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, involving 1,811 patients aged 65 to 80. Of these works, six were judged to be of “good quality”, seven were qualified as “passable” and six of “mediocre”.
The researchers isolated the results of 10 of these trials, involving 1300 patients, relating to global cognition (orientation/attention, memory, verbal fluency, language and visuospatial ability). Result: the effect of the drugs on the improvement of these symptoms is described as “weak but significant”.
The results of 8 clinical trials, involving 425 patients, were then pooled to assess behavior and neuropsychiatric symptoms, agitation and apathy. In this case, a significant positive effect of noradrenergic drugs was noted on apathy.
Set the right dose of medication
For the authors,repurposing established noradrenergic drugs is most likely to offer effective treatment in Alzheimer’s disease for general cognition and apathy”. For them, other studies are necessary to specify the dose to be used, to prevent possible interactions with other treatments and to better target the patients most likely to benefit from them.
Intervene as soon as possible
Questioned by Doctissimo, Dr Christophe De Jaeger, geriatrician specialist in aging, confirms the interest of this line of research: “We do not yet have all the keys concerning a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease because its different etiologies are not all known to date. But we can work on the symptoms and this drug track is one of the tools we have“.
“What is important is to intervene as soon as possible with early and multiple care, which involves nutrition, memory stimulation, the establishment of physical activity… It is this combination which may allow the patient to limit the effects of his dementia. Finally, the important point that must be emphasized is that not all dementias are Alzheimer’s diseases and are sometimes treatable. concludes the specialist.