Alzheimer’s Society comment on the use of epilepsy drugs to treat Alzheimer’s

The study found that nerve cells lived longer when treated with T-type calcium-channel blockers, which are commonly used to treat epilepsy.

'This study is interesting since other research has shown that anti-convulsant drugs reduce the tangles of proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. There are many advantages to researching drugs which are already used to treat other conditions as they have already been through safety checks meaning they could be available to people more quickly.

'However this study used nerve cells grown in a laboratory rather than using animal models which means that this avenue of research is still in the very early stages. Further research is needed to investigate whether this increased survival of cells could have an impact on the Alzheimer's disease process.'

 

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society

Ends

Notes to editors

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
  
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk