There is no doubt that the secrets of medicines are many and scientists are still searching to discover them, and currently many of the medicines that are used in the treatment of certain diseases have proven their effectiveness in treating completely different diseases.
Today, a study was published in the journal (NeuroImage) indicating that the epilepsy drug known as levetiracetam may have a role in treating memory impairment that affects the elderly and increases their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The study included 84 participants with an average age of 70 years, all of whom were over 55 years old. 17 of them were in good health, while 67 of them showed symptoms of mild cognitive impairment.
The researchers used different doses of the drug on the participants, in addition to a placebo treatment on some of them. Brain changes were observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while the participants performed some memory-related tasks.
The researchers said that low doses of the drug levetiracetam improved memory performance and reduced hyperactivity in the brain.
What the researchers want now is to find out if treatment with levetiracetam over a longer period of time prevents further cognitive decline and delays or stops the progression of this deterioration to dementia or Alzheimer’s. The patient will gradually lose memory and eventually reach the inability to perform the simplest tasks such as eating and drinking.
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