A class of flu drugs may reduce cognitive decline and premature aging in people living with chronic viral infection, reports a new study led by Northwestern University that began with blood samples from people with HIV and extended into preclinical drug trials.
The findings point to a potential new therapy for cognitive problems in people with HIV, with broader implications for other aging-related diseases, such as dementia.
The study was published today (June 5) in Med, a journal from Cell Press.
At least a quarter of people living with HIV develop problems with memory and thinking, even with effective antiretroviral treatment. Reasons for these cognitive symptoms have remained unclear. In this study, the Northwestern scientists identified a new biological culprit: the degradation of protective sugar molecules in our bodies, known as glycans, that normally help keep inflammation in check. When inflammation becomes chronic, it can accelerate biological aging by driving the immune system to overreact for too long.
The scientists identified the new sugar mechanism by analyzing blood samples from more than 100 individuals with HIV, both with and without cognitive impairment. Then, the research team conducted lab and mouse studies, where they found that flu drugs (a combination of Tamiflu and another experimental drug) preserved the sugar molecules and protected the brain.
"We are not saying yet that people should take flu drugs to prevent cognitive decline," explained study lead author Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "We are saying that our findings open the door to testing whether this drug class, or better next-generation versions, could be repurposed for brain and aging-related complications," he added.
