Home / Health / New Hope: Existing Drugs May Extend MND Survival
New Hope: Existing Drugs May Extend MND Survival
11 Mar
Summary
- Repurposing drugs is being studied to give MND patients longer lives.
- Statins and alpha blockers were linked to prolonged survival in ALS veterans.
- These medications are generally well-tolerated and inexpensive.
There is currently no cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a debilitating condition that progressively weakens muscles, often leading to loss of mobility and a lifespan of three to five years post-diagnosis. However, new research is investigating whether existing medications, repurposed from other treatments, could extend survival for those diagnosed with MND.
Academics, led by Stanford University, analyzed medical records of 11,003 American veterans diagnosed with ALS, a primary form of MND, between 2009 and 2019. The study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, found that 18 different medications, including statins for high cholesterol and alpha blockers for prostate issues, were associated with increased survival rates.
Professor Richard Reimer of Stanford University highlighted that these findings offer new hope, as ALS treatments have historically been challenging to develop. He noted that statins and alpha blockers are widely available, generally well-tolerated, and cost-effective. Future research aims to understand the mechanisms behind these associations and identify which patient subgroups might benefit most, with the ultimate goal of confirming these potential benefits through controlled clinical trials.
