Abstract

BACKGROUNDDementia researchers are increasingly optimistic that new treatments in development can stop or significantly delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). This optimism reflects a growing understanding of the disease process, which can begin years or even decades before any signs of cognitive decline.1 Developing new therapies for a complex disease is a slow and painstaking process; however, leading National Institutes of Health (NIH) and advocacy groups support of research that can have a more proximate impact on the risk of developing dementia.One example is the growing body of research linking ADRD risk to medications prescribed for other chronic conditions.2 For example, statins and antihypertensives have been associated with a lower risk of dementia apart from their impact on cardiovascular health.3–6 The underlying mechanisms behind these so‐called “pleiotropic effects” are not fully understood, but generally consistent findings across a number of recent studies suggest a link between these drugs and dementia risk. In the case of statins, a new large trial (PREVENTABLE) will assess the impact on dementia and cognitive impairment in real‐world clinical settings.7Conversely, a growing number of drug classes have been associated with increased dementia risk. The most widely cited are medications with