Could a common cold sore drug slow Alzheimer's?
NCT ID NCT04710030
First seen Dec 17, 2025
Summary
This study tested whether the antiviral drug valacyclovir (Valtrex) could slow brain changes linked to Alzheimer's in 50 people with mild cognitive impairment who also had herpes simplex virus antibodies. Participants took either valacyclovir or a placebo for 52 weeks. The goal was to see if the drug reduced amyloid buildup in the brain and helped preserve memory and thinking skills.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York, 10032, United States
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
valacyclovir (Valtrex)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new way to slow memory decline in people with early Alzheimer's risk.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 50 participants. The drug may not affect Alzheimer's-related brain changes, and side effects from high-dose valacyclovir are possible.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.