New research from UVA Health suggests that nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), commonly used in HIV treatment, may significantly lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to NRTIs, the team is advocating for clinical trials of K9, which is already being tested for other diseases.

The researchers propose that NRTIs could be utilized more broadly for Alzheimer's prevention, extending beyond just individuals at high genetic risk.

To address toxicity concerns associated with long-term NRTI use, the research team is also developing a new drug called K9, which is designed to be safer and more effective.

Published in 'Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association', the findings were supported by grants from organizations including the National Institutes of Health.

One of the study's strengths is its large, demographically diverse population, which helps ensure that socioeconomic status does not confound the observed association.

The study analyzed data from over 270,000 patients aged 50 and older, excluding those with prior Alzheimer's diagnoses, across various health databases.

However, the study does have limitations, such as its reliance on administrative claims data and medical coding for Alzheimer's diagnoses rather than clinical assessments.

Current statistics indicate that nearly 7 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's, with projections suggesting this number could rise to 13 million by 2050, leading to escalating care costs.

While previous studies have noted a reduced risk of Alzheimer's in NRTI users, this research employs a more rigorous methodology to validate those earlier findings.

K9 is currently undergoing clinical trials and aims to mitigate adverse effects linked to traditional NRTIs while potentially offering benefits for Alzheimer's disease.