Abstract
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions, is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment involving synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss. Current treatments offer limited symptomatic relief and do not modify disease progression. Repurposing existing drugs like ivermectin, known for its antiparasitic properties, is gaining attention due to newly discovered neuromodulatory effects. This 2025 review explores the evidence behind ivermectin’s potential role as an adjunct therapy in dementia, focusing on its anti-inflammatory, cholinergic, and synaptic effects demonstrated in preclinical models.
Introduction: Addressing the Dementia Challenge
Dementia affects more than 55 million people globally, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being the most prevalent subtype. These neurodegenerative disorders progressively impair memory, cognition, and daily functioning. Currently approved treatments, such as cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil) and NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., memantine), provide only modest symptomatic improvement without altering the course of the disease.
As interest grows in repositioning known compounds for neurodegenerative applications, ivermectin—a macrocyclic lactone with FDA-approved antiparasitic use—has surfaced as a candidate for adjunct dementia therapy. Recent studies have explored its effects on neuroinflammation, neurotransmission, and synaptic protection.
Ivermectin’s Effects in Preclinical Models of Neurological Disease
1. Anti-Inflammatory Effects
A 2023 study published in Inflammation demonstrated that ivermectin mitigates neuroinflammatory damage in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The compound reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17A and IFN-γ and promoted regulatory T cell activity (Springer, 2023). These mechanisms are relevant to Alzheimer’s disease, where microglial activation and cytokine dysregulation contribute to neuronal degeneration.
2. Synaptic Modulation and Inhibitory Neurotransmission
Ivermectin potentiates glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluClRs), enhancing inhibitory postsynaptic currents. A 2019 study in PLOS Pathogens found that ivermectin increased tonic inhibitory currents and prolonged synaptic inhibition, possibly restoring balance in neural circuits disrupted by neurodegeneration (PMC6368337).
3. Cholinergic Enhancement and Dopaminergic Crosstalk
A 2024 study published in Cell & Bioscience reported that ivermectin increased activity of striatal cholinergic interneurons, thereby enhancing dopamine release via nicotinic receptor modulation (PMC11025261). Since cholinergic deficits underlie many cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s, ivermectin’s indirect cholinergic enhancement may complement standard therapies.
Mechanistic Insights
The observed neuromodulatory effects of ivermectin likely arise from its multitarget action:
Neuroinflammation: Downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulation of T-cell responses.
Synaptic Stability: Enhanced inhibitory neurotransmission via GluClR potentiation may reduce excitotoxicity.
Cholinergic Transmission: Modulation of nicotinic receptors and increased acetylcholine activity support memory and attention.
These mechanisms position ivermectin as a potential adjunct therapy to enhance the effects of existing drugs or reduce their required dosages.
Ivermectin and Dementia (6 Case Reports)
Can Ivermectin play a key role in treating Dementia?
6 case series suggest ivermectin may help treat dementia. Dr William Makis shared 6 case testimonials of ivermectin and dementia on X/Twitter (February 2025):
Case 01: Vascular Dementia "my father has been taking Ivermectin for Vascular Dementia now for 5 days...he seems much calmer, less agitated"
"we have noticed significant change in my father...he seems more tranquil, less rebellious and frustrated...only 1 week on Ivermectin so far but very positive so far"
Case 02: Alzheimer's Dementia
"I gave my mother in law Ivermectin 12mg x 5 days. She is 84 and suffers with dementia. She slept almost all night those 5 nights. That is a HUGE improvement over wandering around the house all night."
Case 03: Cognitive Decline & End of Life
"I have seen phenomenal results recently with my fathers (82yo) health specifically with his cognitive improvements but also his energy levels and his appetite.
Began giving him Ivermectin and the results were fast and absolutely remarkable. His ability to speak and hold a conversation and actually be humorous with us generated a wave of emotion for our family as we went from a near death diagnosis to hospice care dropping him from their program within just a few weeks. What an incredible gift we have been given!"
Case 4: (Brazil) - Memory loss
"My father...82 years old...major loss of memory...we managed to get him to agree to use a daily dose of 24mg...we felt a little improvement, with more words in his vocabulary, a better sense of time and sense, knowing that he has a bond with us"
Case 5: New Onset Dementia
Dr William Makis shared a case testimonial of ivermectin and dementia on X/Twitter (January 2025):
IVERMECTIN and DEMENTIA Testimonial - 93 year old Grandma recovers dramatically with low dose Ivermectin!
"My Grandmother (93 years old) was beginning to show signs of dementia...telling me stories & then forgetting that she had told me...she began to become confused and focused on negative thoughts & emotions" The grand-daughter saw one of my articles (testimonials) on Ivermectin and Dementia and decided to try the same Ivermectin 24mg dose, as what she had read. The Result: "Within 2 days she was back to acting like the Grandma I remembered. She was back to her smart and very mentally coherent self" "I was shocked at the difference it made" "I left the country for 2 weeks and when I came back she was still very much improved despite no extra doses" (durable response!) "
My father was very skeptical...even he has no words, as he can see how stark the contrast is from before and after giving her Ivermectin. The change is night and day" And my favorite part..
"Thank you for your work. I wouldn't have seen that information had it not been for you" You're welcome! I love testimonials like this. This is my 3rd Ivermectin and Dementia testimonial in a very short period of time. I continue to be shocked at how much difference a small dose of Ivermectin makes in patients with dementia."
Case 6: Dementia and End of Life
Dr William Makis shared a case testimonial of ivermectin and dementia on X/Twitter (November 2024):
IVERMECTIN and DEMENTIA Testimonial - 97 year old patient begins to remember with IVERMECTIN - one of the most touching stories I've received! "I gave him 24mg of Ivermectin on day 1. I continued with IVM for 4 days" "His eyes lit up and he recognized me" - I froze when I was reading this. "Each day when I visited, he became more of the father I knew decades prior. We had wonderful conversations, his confusion was gone and he was laughing and talking". What an incredibly touching story.
I am currently helping 4 Parkinson’s Disease patients with Ivermectin, two Multiple Sclerosis, one ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and one Seizure. This is in addition to hundreds of Cancer patients. But I was not aware of literature on Ivermectin and Dementia. There IS some evidence for the use of Ivermectin in Dementia, except it looks like it has been scrubbed from GOOGLE and the file is conveniently “not available”. “Ivermectin can be used as a therapeutic candidate in Alzheimer disease which will need more studies to support that” - 2021.
Clinical Considerations and Future Directions
Despite promising preclinical findings, ivermectin has not yet been studied in randomized clinical trials for dementia. Key areas for future investigation include:
Safety in Elderly Populations: Understanding potential interactions with commonly prescribed medications in geriatric patients.
Dosing Regimens: Determining effective and safe dosing parameters for CNS penetration.
Cognitive Outcomes: Measuring changes in memory, attention, and daily functioning in human cohorts.
Accelerating clinical translation will require multidisciplinary collaboration and careful trial design to ensure patient safety and relevance.
Conclusion: A Potential Adjunct in Dementia Management
Ivermectin is emerging as more than an antiparasitic agent. Its anti-inflammatory, synaptic, and cholinergic effects may prove beneficial in managing neurodegenerative disorders like dementia. While its role remains speculative pending clinical validation, existing evidence provides a compelling rationale for further investigation.
FAQ: Ivermectin and Dementia
Can ivermectin treat dementia?
No. Ivermectin is not a cure for dementia. However, it may support cognitive function as an adjunct therapy. More clinical trials are needed.
How might ivermectin help dementia patients?
By reducing inflammation and enhancing inhibitory and cholinergic neurotransmission, ivermectin may complement current treatments and improve cognitive resilience.
Is ivermectin safe for dementia patients?
While it is safe in antiparasitic use, its safety in dementia patients—particularly the elderly—is not well established. Clinical monitoring is essential before and after its use.
The Wellness Company's Ivermectin
Ivermectin, approved for human use, is now available in the U.S.
Researched and approved by Dr. Peter McCullough.
Prescribed by licensed medical professionals
Compounded and dispensed by a licensed US-based pharmacy
Approved for human use
Nobel Prize Winning Medication
Convenient 6-Month Supply
FDA-Approved Medication
Doctor-Prescribed
Available on The Wellness Company's website. Here is the link: Ivermectin.
It must be a very powerful drug for them to ban it as they did! They are looking to reduce populations not cure them
Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏻❤️😊