Study Links Osteoporosis Drugs to 16% Lower Alzheimer's Risk in 121,492 Older Adults
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 16
Study Links Osteoporosis Drugs to 16% Lower Alzheimer's Risk in 121,492 Older Adults
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 16
Summary
121,492 adults aged 60 or older in Hong Kong who had newly diagnosed osteoporosis or major fractures showed a 16% lower risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias when taking nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates.
The risk reduction widened to 24% versus patients using other osteoporosis drugs, pointing to a possible bone-brain link already suggested by earlier research on low bone mass and later dementia.
Common bisphosphonates in the study included alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate and zoledronate, but the authors said the observational design cannot prove the drugs prevent dementia.
The researchers said the findings do not justify prescribing bisphosphonates specifically for Alzheimer’s prevention, citing limits including a Chinese-only population, no baseline cognitive testing and missing data on disease severity and supplements.
Clinical trials across broader populations are the next step, with researchers also seeking to test whether any apparent dementia benefit differs by sex.