Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly 7 million Americans, a number that’s expected to jump to 13.9 million by 2060.
Given the devastating effects of this incurable disease, the hunt is on for a drug that could help prevent or slow its progression.
Now, a new study has found that nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) — a common class of medications for HIV — could dramatically decrease the risk of developing this neurodegenerative disorder.
Analyzing data from over 270,000 patients aged 50 and older, researchers observed that the risk of Alzheimer’s decreased by 6% to 13% for each year the patients were on NRTIs.