Cognitive decline and dementia represent a pressing public health issue, with over 55 million individuals affected globally and 10 million new cases emerging each year. The irreversible nature of dementia underscores the critical need for preventive strategies to delay its onset or progression. The complex relationship between cognitive decline, dementia, and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a focal point of current research. Both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia share pathophysiological processes with CVD, including atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and inflammation. CVD can directly contribute to dementia by reducing cerebral blood flow. Managing CVD risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia is crucial not only for mitigating CVD's direct effects but also for reducing the cumulative impact on brain health, which increases dementia risk. A promising approach involves repurposing existing pharmacological treatments to mitigate cognitive decline and dementia. While numerous studies have explored the potential of medications used for other chronic conditions in preventing or slowing dementia, the evidence remains inconsistent, and the biological mechanisms underlying these associations are not fully understood.
This research topic aims to consolidate the latest evidence on the role of medications used for treating chronic conditions in preventing or slowing cognitive decline and dementia. The primary objective is to elucidate how targeting these chronic conditions can influence the progression of cognitive impairment. By addressing these questions, the research seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the potential benefits and mechanisms of pharmacological interventions in this context.
To gather further insights into the role of pharmacological treatments for chronic conditions in cognitive health, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Epidemiological studies exploring the impact of pharmacological treatments for chronic conditions on cognitive decline and dementia.
- Investigations into the biological mechanisms, including genetic, cellular, or molecular pathways, that link pharmacological treatments for chronic conditions with cognitive decline and dementia.
- Analysis of the effectiveness of repurposed medications in preventing or slowing cognitive decline.
- Studies focusing on the management of CVD risk factors and their influence on dementia risk.
- Reviews of current pharmacological strategies and their potential in dementia prevention.
Keywords: Neurodegenerative Disease, Dementia, Cognitive Decline, Risk factor, biomarker, Alzheimer’s
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
