Researchers Seeing If Epilepsy Drug Can Reduce Alzheimer's Symptoms

Researchers are testing the drug valproate to see if it can reduce agitation and the decline in memory and function of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Valproate has been around for 20 years and has been successfully used to treat epilepsy, migraines and bipolar disorder. The $10 million study will involve 30 institutions and 300 patients.

"Until we have a cure for Alzheimer's, we are continually searching for ways to provide patients with prolonged autonomy so they can live their life to the fullest for as long as possible," said study director Pierre Tariot, professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical School.

Tariot and his colleagues have already studied valproate in the laboratory. He said they were surprised to find out that the drug blocked several key molecular events involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

"We are eager to learn whether these neuroprotective effects that valproate exhibited in the laboratory will also occur in Alzheimer's patients," Tariot added.

Other sources: University of Rochester Medical Center