Candesartan potential therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease

Written by Alice Weatherston

A highly detailed 3D rendering of a double helix human DNA in blue color, with small carbon elements and light effects on a dark gray-blue background. The image shows an angle of view of different

New research from Georgetown University (DC, USA), published recently in Alzheimer's Research and Therapy, has highlighted the potential efficacy of candesartan and some other FDA-approved angiotensin receptor blockers for the early treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Utilizing neuronal cultures, researchers led by senior author Juan Saavedra (Georgetown University) investigated the action of candesartan, currently approved for the treatment of high blood pressure, on the neurotoxic effects of exposure to excessive glutamate – a known injury factor in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, candesartan was shown to avert glutamate-induced neuronal death and genetic analyses indicated that the drug also prevented...

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