“To this point, cardiovascular medication total are essentially the most studied in relation to dementia danger, together with medicines used to deal with hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and excessive lipid ranges,” says Dr. Ding. The explanation these have gained such consideration is as a result of the analysis has established sturdy connections between cardiovascular illnesses and dementia, she explains.
One systematic overview and meta-analysis of 55 observational research involving greater than seven million individuals discovered that statin use is related to a 14 % decrease danger of dementia and an 18 % decrease danger of Alzheimer’s illness in contrast with not taking statins for ldl cholesterol. Researchers say this can be linked with the drug’s means to guard blood vessels within the mind and battle mind irritation.
However the findings aren’t constant. Earlier studies present some statin customers expertise short-term cognitive decline — corresponding to reminiscence loss, forgetfulness, and confusion — so consultants can’t say definitively whether or not statins have a optimistic influence on dementia danger.
“The proof will not be as sturdy as it’s for blood strain medicines,” says Natasha Bhuyan, MD, a household doctor who focuses on reproductive well being at One Medical in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Some research present that statins might need a reasonable influence on dementia danger, which could possibly be as a consequence of decreasing irritation and stabilizing blood vessels. However they shouldn’t be taken by individuals who don’t want them.”
Consultants emphasize that future medical trials are wanted to raised perceive statins’ long-term results on cognition.
4. Routine Vaccines
Sure routine vaccinations could provide an surprising profit past defending in opposition to infectious illnesses: They might additionally assist assist long-term mind well being, with analysis linking a number of vaccines with a decrease danger of dementia.
The strongest proof to this point is for the shingles vaccine. A 2025 examine discovered that adults who acquired the vaccine had been about 20 % much less more likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than related adults who weren’t vaccinated.
Different routine vaccinations — together with annual flu pictures — can also be related to a decrease dementia danger. A scientific overview and meta-analysis discovered that those that obtained the influenza vaccination had a 13 % decrease danger of dementia than those that did not get the vaccine, although a lot of the proof was observational and the research differed significantly of their strategies and findings, making it harder to attract agency conclusions about whether or not the vaccination itself lowered dementia danger.
Researchers are nonetheless working to know the connection, however one idea is that vaccines could decrease dementia danger by stopping infections that may set off continual irritation and injury to the mind and blood vessels. “These are observational research, so we are able to’t make a definitive conclusion, however [the shingles vaccine] has essentially the most compelling and large-scale proof,” Dr. Bhuyan says, noting that the shingles an infection might injury mind cells and blood vessels. “So by stopping the an infection, we’re stopping the danger of dementia.”
Guo agrees that the findings are encouraging however needs to be interpreted cautiously, noting that vaccines needs to be taken in accordance with public well being suggestions, however not as confirmed dementia-prevention medication.
5. SGLT2 Inhibitors
Researchers are additionally investigating whether or not SGLT2 inhibitors — medicines used to deal with sort 2 diabetes, corresponding to empagliflozin (Jardiance) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga) — could defend the mind by enhancing blood sugar management, decreasing irritation, and supporting coronary heart well being.
The proof to this point has been blended. One latest overview of accessible analysis discovered that SGLT2 inhibitor use in individuals with sort 2 diabetes was constantly related to a decrease danger of dementia than in these not taking the medicines. However a separate meta-analysis of 26 randomized medical trials didn’t discover a vital discount in dementia danger with SGLT2s.
Guo says for individuals with sort 2 diabetes, the findings that diabetes medicines could contribute to decrease dementia danger are promising, however not definitive. “Nevertheless, randomized trial proof stays restricted, and we can’t assume the impact applies to individuals with out diabetes,” she says.
Bhuyan agrees. “The proof will not be as sturdy right here,” she says. “These medicines probably have an effect on each blood sugar management and decreasing the danger of coronary heart failure, however they don’t assist individuals with out diabetes.”
