A dose-finding study shows terazosin enhanced energy metabolism in neurologically healthy adults

Jordan L Schultz; Phillip E Gander; Craig D Workman; Laura L Boles Ponto; Stephen Cross; Christopher S Nance; Christopher L Groth; Eric B Taylor; Sarah E Ernst; Jia Xu; Ergun Y Uc; Vincent A Magnotta; Michael J Welsh; Nandakumar S Narayanan

doi:10.1177/1877718X251356503

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A dose-finding study shows terazosin enhanced energy metabolism in neurologically healthy adults

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A dose-finding study shows terazosin enhanced energy metabolism in neurologically healthy adults

Jordan L Schultz, Phillip E Gander, Craig D Workman, Laura L Boles Ponto, Stephen Cross, Christopher S Nance, Christopher L Groth, Eric B Taylor, Sarah E Ernst, Jia Xu, …

Journal of Parkinson's disease, Vol.15(7), pp.1253-1263

11/2025

DOI: 10.1177/1877718X251356503

PMCID: PMC13347515

PMID: 40785306

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Abstract

This research focused on how the medication terazosin (TZ), typically used for prostate issues and high blood pressure, affects energy levels in the brain and body of older adults who do not have neurological diseases. It is believed that TZ could help with energy problems in the brain that occur in Parkinson's disease because of its ability to activate a specific enzyme involved in energy production. In this study, 18 people aged between 60 and 85 received different doses of TZ (1 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg per day). Measurements included how much TZ reached the brain and its effect on energy molecules like ATP, which powers our cells. Advanced imaging techniques were used to see how the brain's energy usage changed and how energy usage in the participants’ blood changed as an indication altered metabolism. The findings showed that a dose of 5 mg of TZ per day was most effective in increasing ATP levels without causing significant side effects. This dose also reduced energy usage in the brain, which might sound counterintuitive, but is consistent with increased energy efficiency. Higher doses did not show added benefits, and the effects were similar in both men and women. Understanding how TZ works at different doses helps lay the groundwork for future trials, potentially leading to new treatments for Parkinson's disease and similar conditions. This study is a step toward determining safe and effective TZ doses for possibly slowing down neurodegeneration due to energy deficits in the brain.

Metabolism

terazosin

neurodegeneration

Parkinson's disease

Details

Title: Subtitle: A dose-finding study shows terazosin enhanced energy metabolism in neurologically healthy adults
Creators: Jordan L Schultz - University of Iowa, Psychiatry
Phillip E Gander - University of Iowa, Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Craig D Workman - University of Iowa, Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Laura L Boles Ponto - University of Iowa, Radiology
Stephen Cross - University of Iowa, Psychiatry
Christopher S Nance - University of Iowa, Neurology
Christopher L Groth - University of Iowa, Neurology
Eric B Taylor - University of Iowa, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
Sarah E Ernst - University of Iowa, Internal Medicine
Jia Xu - University of Iowa, Radiology
Ergun Y Uc - University of Iowa, Neurology
Vincent A Magnotta - University of Iowa, Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Michael J Welsh - University of Iowa, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine
Nandakumar S Narayanan - University of Iowa, Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of Parkinson's disease, Vol.15(7), pp.1253-1263
DOI: 10.1177/1877718X251356503
PMID: 40785306
PMCID: PMC13347515
NLM abbreviation: J Parkinsons Dis
ISSN: 1877-7171
eISSN: 1877-718X
Publisher: IOS Press
Grant note: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's ResearchNIH: 5UL1TR002537-04, S10RR028821, K23NS117736
This study was funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (to JLS and NSN), NIH Grant 5UL1TR002537-04 through the University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science and was conducted using equipment supported by NIH Grant S10RR028821, and NIH Grant K23NS117736 (to JLS). MJW is an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The study sponsors had no role in the conduct, analysis, or reporting of these results.
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 08/10/2025
Date published: 11/2025
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Neurology; Radiology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine; Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984945905102771

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