According to a new trial from UK based universities, those who experience a type of stroke linked with nearly half of all dementias could be treated for the first time by repurposing two cheap and common drugs.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh, the University of Nottingham and the UK Dementia Research Institute found that isosorbide mononitrate and cilostazol, which are already used to treat other heart and circulatory diseases, can safely improve the debilitating outcomes experienced after lacunar stroke.
The two drugs in focus, were found to be even more effective when used in combination. It is believed that they could also be available as a treatment doe lacunar strokes within five years, if the results are confirmed in further trials, according to experts.
At least 35,000 individuals in the UK are affected by lacunar strokes each year.
Lacunar strokes are caused by cerebral small vessel disease, which is where small blood vessels deep in the brain become damaged and stop functioning properly. Small vessel disease is also a common cause of cognitive impairment and dementia.
The trial involved 363 individuals who had experienced a lacunar stroke.
In addition to their standard stroke prevention treatment, for one year participants took either isosorbide mononitrate or cilostazol individually, both drugs together, or neither.
The trial, funded by the British Heart Foundation, investigated cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate as they possibly improve the function of the inner lining of blood vessels, which researchers believe play a role in small vessel disease.
The participants that took both drugs were close to 20 per cent less likely to have issues with their thinking and memory compared to the group that did not take either drug. They were also found to have a more independent and overall better quality of life.
Additionally, those who took isosorbide mononitrate were less likely to have had further strokes at one year than those who did not take the drug.
By just taking isosorbide mononitrate, improvements in thinking and memory skills were made and also shown to help towards a better quality of life. Cilostazol improved independence and mood. These effects were strengthened when the two drugs were taken together, researchers say.
The team now plans to test these drugs in a larger four-year clinical trial, which they hope will start by the end of 2023.
