If you follow health news or participate in caregiver support groups, you may have recently heard buzz about ivermectin—the Nobel Prize-winning antiparasitic drug—as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Recent headlines often stem from a 2025 study reporting reduced brain plaques and improved memory. Before considering this as a treatment option, it is critical to distinguish between promising laboratory research and proven human medicine.

The 2025 Study: A Scientific Breakthrough in the Lab

A 2025 study by Farajpour and Soraya sparked interest in ivermectin’s possible neuroprotective effects. In a controlled experiment using rats with Alzheimer’s-like disease, researchers observed the following:

• Reduced brain plaques: Ivermectin appeared to decrease amyloid-beta plaque accumulation

• Memory improvement: Treated rats showed significant improvements in spatial learning and memory

• Enzyme regulation: The drug reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, a mechanism similar to how approved Alzheimer’s medications such as donepezil (Aricept) work

These findings are scientifically interesting, but there is an important limitation.

This study was conducted in rats, not humans.

The Blood–Brain Barrier Problem

The biggest obstacle to translating these findings into human treatment is the blood–brain barrier (BBB).

The human brain has a highly effective protective system, including P-glycoprotein transporters, that actively pump ivermectin out of the brain to prevent toxicity.

This creates several major challenges:

• Human brains are designed to keep ivermectin out

• Achieving similar brain concentrations in humans would likely require doses high enough to be toxic

• Many animal studies involve a compromised blood–brain barrier, which does not accurately reflect how Alzheimer’s disease functions in most humans

Current Evidence Grade: D

In evidence-based medicine, treatments are graded by the strength of available data. At present, ivermectin for dementia holds an Evidence Grade of D.

Important facts to know:

• There are currently zero human clinical trials studying ivermectin for dementia or cognitive impairment

• Organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation state clearly that there is no evidence ivermectin alters the disease course in humans

Is Off-Label Use Safe?

Although ivermectin is FDA-approved for specific parasitic infections and has a strong safety record at approved doses, using it off-label for dementia is risky.

Higher doses intended to bypass the blood–brain barrier may lead to serious side effects, including:

• Confusion and delirium

• Ataxia or loss of muscle coordination

• Seizures

• Potential coma

In addition, ivermectin interacts with many common medications, increasing the risk of toxic levels in the brain.

The Bottom Line for Caregivers

It is completely natural to search for every possible option to help a loved one. However, ivermectin currently belongs in the research pipeline, not the treatment toolbox.

Until human clinical trials are conducted and a safe delivery method is established, self-treating dementia with ivermectin is not recommended and may be dangerous.

How to Stay Informed About New Research

When encountering headlines about a “new cure,” it is important to ask:

• Was the study conducted in humans or animals?

• Has the research been peer-reviewed?

• Is there a human clinical trial currently recruiting?

Hope matters, but evidence must guide decisions.