Varenicline as a Repurposable Drug Candidate for ADRD Prevention

The study examined the potential of varenicline for preventing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) compared to nicotine replacement therapy. The research included 9,584 adults over 50 years old from the All of Us database who initiated smoking cessation treatment between 2006 and 2023. After group matching, there were 1,758 varenicline users and 1,758 nicotine replacement users. Results showed that varenicline use was associated with a 48 percent reduction in ADRD risk (HR 0.516) and a 34 percent reduction in ADRD or death risk (HR 0.657). Varenicline's benefits were sustained throughout the study period. The study suggests that varenicline could be a promising approach for preventing Alzheimer's disease in older adults.