A drug that has long been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease might also help people living with sickle cell anemia, according to new research led by the University of Zurich. The drug, called memantine, is affordable, well-known, and already widely available. Now, early results from a clinical study suggest it could improve the lives of patients with sickle cell anemia as well.
The study, published in the journal *HemaSphere*, found that memantine was safe, well tolerated, and effective in reducing symptoms and hospital stays for people with the disease. Researchers hope this low-cost option could benefit patients, especially in countries where treatment resources are limited.
### What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?
Sickle cell anemia is the most common inherited blood disorder in the world. It affects how red blood cells function. In healthy people, red blood cells are round and flexible, helping them move easily through blood vessels. In people with sickle cell anemia, a change in the hemoglobin protein causes red blood cells to become stiff and shaped like a sickle.
These abnormal cells can get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and causing pain, organ damage, and a shorter life expectancy. Children and teens often suffer the most.
### Current Treatments and Their Limitations
Currently, the main treatment for sickle cell anemia is a drug called hydroxyurea. It can improve symptoms and quality of life, but not everyone can tolerate it. Other options, such as bone marrow transplants or gene therapy, do exist — but they tend to be costly or require rare donor matches.
### Why Memantine Offers New Hope
Memantine has been used for Alzheimer’s disease for over two decades and is no longer under patent. This means it is cheaper and easier to access, making it a good candidate for repurposing.
Earlier lab studies showed that memantine helps stabilize red blood cells. To test whether it could help patients, the research team launched a phase II clinical study.
### The Clinical Study: Encouraging Results
A total of 17 people with sickle cell anemia, including children, received memantine daily for one year, with doses based on their age. The results were very encouraging:
– Patients had fewer hospital visits.
– When hospitalized, their stays were shorter.
– Children experienced fewer painful episodes, known as sickle cell crises.
– The treatment was safe — no serious side effects were reported.
– No participants had to stop the study due to memantine.
All participants continued taking hydroxyurea during the study. Researchers emphasize that memantine should be seen as a supportive treatment, not a replacement for current therapies. Still, the positive results suggest memantine may offer additional help for people already on treatment.
### What’s Next?
Lead researcher Professor Max Gassmann explained that the next step is to conduct a new study involving patients who are not taking hydroxyurea. This will help determine how well memantine works on its own and whether it could become a regular part of sickle cell anemia care.
If future results continue to be positive, memantine could become a game-changing option — especially in regions like parts of Africa or India where sickle cell disease is common, and expensive treatments are not always available.
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**Interested in Alzheimer’s disease?**
Please explore studies about the likely causes of Alzheimer’s and emerging non-drug treatments that could help prevent the condition. For more health information, check out recent research on diets that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, as well as findings showing that some dementia cases could be prevented by changing these 12 lifestyle factors.
https://knowridge.com/2026/01/alzheimers-drug-shows-promise-for-treating-sickle-cell-anemia/
