Deferiprone

Deferiprone,iron chelation drug, may worsen symptoms of dementia. A recent study suggests that although deferiprone lowers iron levels in the brain, it may accelerate cognitive decline in patients with early stage Alzheimer’s disease.

Deferiprone is an iron chelator originally used to treat iron overload conditions, such as in patients with Thalassemia. Researchers have recently investigated its use in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to reduce excess iron in the brain, which is believed to contribute to neurodegeneration.

However, results from a Phase 2 clinical trial showed that although overall brain iron levels decreased, patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease who received deferiprone at a dose of 15 mg/kg twice daily experienced significant declines in memory, planning ability, and executive function compared with the placebo group.

One possible explanation is that iron reduction in the brain may have occurred unevenly, disrupting the balance of iron distribution. This imbalance particularly affected key brain regions involved in emotional and cognitive control, such as the insula and the orbitofrontal cortex, potentially impairing neuronal function in these areas.

Physicians therefore recommend that the use of deferiprone in patients with dementia—especially those with Alzheimer’s disease—should be approached with caution and strictly supervised by medical specialists to avoid unnecessary risks and adverse effects.