Finding new uses for existing drugs to prevent Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Repurposing drugs for Alzheimer´s disease using a reverse translational approach
Funded at Karolinska Institute · NIH-10883937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether some everyday medications can help prevent Alzheimer's disease in older adults by finding out if they can ease symptoms and slow down the disease, using safe drugs that are already on the market.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Karolinska Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Solna, Sweden) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $488,631 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG067996-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are at risk for or showing early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those with advanced Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of repurposing existing medications to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) in older adults. By analyzing commonly used drug classes among individuals aged 65 and older, the study aims to identify drugs that may alleviate AD-related symptoms and slow disease progression. The approach leverages data from epidemiological analyses to assess the effects of these medications on biological aging and AD pathology. This method is advantageous as it utilizes drugs that have already been proven safe for human use, potentially speeding up the treatment development process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new preventative treatments for Alzheimer's disease, improving the quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in repurposing existing drugs for various conditions, suggesting that this approach could be effective for Alzheimer's disease as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Karolinska Institute
Solna, Sweden Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hagg, Sara — Karolinska Institute
- Study coordinator: Hagg, Sara
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.