Name:	Leuprolide
Other Names:	Leuprolide acetate
Therapy Types:	pharmacological
Development Status:	investigational in U.S.
FDA Phase:	Discontinued
Primary Medical Role:	Approved for treatment of prostate cancer in men; endometriosis in women; early onset of puberty in children; and uterine fibroids in women. Marketed under brand name Lupron Depot® (leuroprolide acetate in depot suspension) for treatment of prostate cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, and central precocious puberty. Also marketed under brand name Viadur® (leuprolide acetate implant) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
Role in Alzheimer's Disease:	May improve cognitive function and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. For more on underlying rationale, see ARF news story
Pharmacological Role:	Leuprolide is a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH- RH) agonist and acts as a potent inhibitor of gonadotropin secretion when given continuously and in therapeutic doses. When given regularly to men and boys, leuprolide decreases testosterone levels. When given regularly to women and girls, leuprolide decreases estrogen levels.
Side Effects:	Side effects of this medication are not common, but may include fast or irregular heartbeat; bone, muscle, or joint pain; hot flashes; light, irregular vaginal bleeding in females; and others. Marketed under brand name Lupron Depot® (leuroprolide acetate in depot suspension) for treatment of prostate cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, and central precocious puberty. Also marketed under brand name Viadur® (leuprolide acetate implant) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
Notes:	See Medline Plus Drug Information: Leuprolide [MedMaster] and Leuprolide (Systemic) [USP DI] .

References

Casadesus G, Zhu X, Atwood CS, Webber KM, Perry G, Bowen RL, Smith MA. Beyond estrogen: targeting gonadotropin hormones in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord. 2004 Aug ;3(4):281-5. Abstract

Bowen RL, Verdile G, Liu T, Parlow AF, Perry G, Smith MA, Martins RN, Atwood CS. Luteinizing hormone, a reproductive regulator that modulates the processing of amyloid-beta precursor protein and amyloid-beta deposition. J Biol Chem. 2004 May 7;279(19):20539-45. Abstract

Bowen RL, Smith MA, Harris PL, Kubat Z, Martins RN, Castellani RJ, Perry G, Atwood CS. Elevated luteinizing hormone expression colocalizes with neurons vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease pathology. J Neurosci Res. 2002 Nov 1;70(3):514-8. Abstract

Short RA, Bowen RL, O'Brien PC, Graff-Radford NR. Elevated gonadotropin levels in patients with Alzheimer disease. Mayo Clin Proc. 2001 Sep;76(9):906-9. Abstract

Bowen RL, Isley JP, Atkinson RL. An association of elevated serum gonadotropin concentrations and Alzheimer disease? J Neuroendocrinol. 2000 Apr;12(4):351-4. Abstract