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---
title: Alzheimer's: New Drug Can Reduce Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
description: Low doses of a drug used to treat epilepsy have been found to reverse a condition that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
canonical: https://time.com/3741766/alzheimers-amnestic-mild-cognitive-impairment-antiepileptic-levetiracetam/
author: Kevin McSpadden
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article:published_time: 2015-03-12T08:11:25.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-02-22T05:06:12.854Z
article:section: Health
og:title: Drug Found to Reverse Alzheimer's Precursor
og:description: Low doses can treat amnestic mild cognitive impairment
og:url: https://time.com/3741766/alzheimers-amnestic-mild-cognitive-impairment-antiepileptic-levetiracetam/
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twitter:title: Drug Found to Reverse Alzheimer's Precursor
twitter:description: Low doses can treat amnestic mild cognitive impairment
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# A Drug Has Been Found That Reverses a Precursor to Alzheimer's

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by 

[Kevin McSpadden](https://time.com/author/kevin-mcspadden/)


## Kevin McSpadden


Mar 12, 2015 8:11 AM UTC

by 

[Kevin McSpadden](https://time.com/author/kevin-mcspadden/)


## Kevin McSpadden


Mar 12, 2015 8:11 AM UTC

Researchers at John Hopkins University have found that low doses of a drug more commonly used to treat epilepsy can [reverse a condition](http://releases.jhu.edu/2015/03/11/drug-restores-brain-function-and-memory-in-early-alzheimers-disease/) that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

According to statements issued Wednesday, the epilepsy drug, called antiepileptic levetiracetam, calms hyperactivity in the brain — a well-documented symptom of people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, which is a condition that heightens the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The team, lead by neuroscientist Michela Gallagher, now wants to pursue substantial clinical trials.

“What we want to discover now, is whether treatment over a longer time will prevent further cognitive decline and delay or stop progression to Alzheimer’s dementia,” Gallagher said.

The researchers studied 84 people with an average age of 70\. Participants received various doses of the drug, as well as a placebo, and the scientists used imaging technology to map brain activity.

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