Neurology

Alpha blockers may protect against dementia with Lewy bodies in men

June 26, 2024

Men who were taking the α-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists terazosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin (Tz/Dz/Az) were at lower risk for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) relative to men taking other medications. When added to the literature of Tz/Dz/Az* on Parkinson disease, the findings suggest that these glycolysis-enhancing drugs may be broadly protective in neurodegenerative synucleinopathies. Authors call for future randomized trials to assess for causality.

• Investigators identified men with no history of DLB who were newly started on Tz/Dz/Az or 2 comparator medications, which consisted of other drugs commonly used to treat BPH that don’t increase ATP: the α-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist tamsulosin or a 5α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI).
• Men who newly initiated Tz/Dz/Az had a lower hazard of developing DLB compared with matched men taking tamsulosin (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.50-0.71) or 5ARI (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.93). The hazard in men taking tamsulosin was similar to that of men taking 5ARI (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.96-1.42).

* Tz/Dz/Az bind to and activate a key ATP-producing enzyme in glycolysis.

Source:

Hart A, et al. (2024, June 19). Neurology. Association of Terazosin, Doxazosin, or Alfuzosin Use and Risk of Dementia With Lewy Bodies in Men. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38896813/