Common Osteoporosis Drug May Protect Against Alzheimer’s, Study Reveals
A drug originally prescribed to protect the bones of older adults may offer an unexpected additional benefit. A large-scale study of elderly individuals with osteoporosis or fragility fractures found that users of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (NBPs), a common class of osteoporosis medications, had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related types of dementia.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong analyzed electronic medical records of more than 120,000 people over the age of 60. They found that users of these drugs had a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and related dementias compared to untreated individuals, and a 24% lower risk compared to those who received other osteoporosis medications, according to a report published on Scitechdaily.
Drugs such as alendronate and zoledronate are established treatments for osteoporosis, strengthening bones and reducing fractures, which makes them widely used among older adults. Researchers are now interested in determining whether these same drugs might serve an additional purpose.
Osteoporosis and dementia often affect the same age group and share several risk factors, including advanced age, female sex, and physical inactivity. Previous research by the same team found that osteoporosis and fractures are independent risk factors for dementia, while individuals with dementia themselves face a higher risk of falls and fractures.
Emerging research also suggests that some biological pathways affected by these drugs may also play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
To test this hypothesis in practice, the University of Hong Kong team used city-wide electronic medical records and studied patients with osteoporosis or fragility fractures between 2005 and 2020, comparing the risk of dementia among those treated with these drugs, those taking other medications, and those not treated at all.
Professor Cheung Ching-long, Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the university, said: “Our study provides evidence that these drugs may offer dual benefits in terms of strengthening bones, reducing fracture risk, and potentially preventing dementia. Their potential neuroprotective role also provides an empirical basis to support future research on their actual effectiveness in preventing or delaying cognitive decline.”
This potential discovery comes as the global burden of dementia increases. Currently, more than 55 million people live with dementia, a number expected to reach 139 million by 2050. The World Health Organization has classified dementia as a critical health priority.
Although new disease-modifying treatments capable of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s have emerged, concerns remain regarding their cost, efficacy, and scalability. This has heightened interest in more accessible and cost-effective preventive strategies, including the potential repurposing of widely prescribed drugs.
Professor Cheung concluded: “These findings are important because they demonstrate a potential approach to reducing dementia risk in a vulnerable population using safe and widely available drugs. In rapidly aging societies, these results suggest that while we await new treatments, existing drugs may provide additional protection for those most at risk.”
