A relatively new diabetes drug, pramlintide — trade name:
Symlin — has been found to combat a major component of Alzheimer's disease and may offer a new treatment option for the millions of Americans with the memory-robbing condition.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that the drug, used to treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, reduces amyloid-beta peptides in the brain that contribute to Alzheimer's and can improve learning and memory.
These BU study, published online in the journal
Molecular Psychiatry, also found AD patients have a lower level of amylin in blood, compared to those without this disease — suggesting the medication may provide both a new avenue for treatment and early diagnosis of the condition.
ALERT:
These 7 Things Activate Alzheimer’s In Your Brain
Lead research Wendy Qiu, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at BU, noted drugs already approved for other diseases — such as Symlin — may penetrate into brain and may be effective against Alzheimer's, and could quickly bypass years of regulatory hurdles required for new medications.
"Unfortunately most pharmaceuticals are reluctant to support this type of repurposing research because of limited financial benefit and some patent limitation, even though the cost is much less expensive and the development time is much shortened," she said.
The study was funded, in part, by the National Institute on Aging.
© 2026 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.