Ivermectin for Parkinson’s & Dementia: Exploring Its Potential as an Adjunct Neuroprotective Therapy (2025)

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, affects millions worldwide, causing debilitating symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and cognitive decline. As researchers continue to explore innovative treatments, one unexpected candidate has emerged: ivermectin, a drug traditionally used to treat parasitic infections. Recent studies have sparked curiosity about its potential neuroprotective effects, prompting questions about whether this widely available medication could offer hope for managing or even slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease. In this article, we delve into the science behind ivermectin’s potential role in Parkinson’s treatment, examining the latest research, mechanisms of action, and what this could mean for patients seeking new therapeutic options.

Can Ivermectin play a key role in treating Parkinson's Disease?

Two peer-reviewed papers—one by Warnecke et al. (2020) and another by Wadsworth et al. (2024)—along with a 2021 PhD thesis by Dongwook Wi, strongly suggest that it might. All of this research has emerged within the past three years.

Here are some highlights.

2020 Warnecke et al: 

“The present study found that Ivermectin significantly altered rotational behavior in male and female mice using a mouse model of DA-depletion demonstrating significant differences based on sex." "The findings implicate the potential use of Ivermectin as a lead candidate for use as a novel adjunct therapy in combination with L-DOPA for Parkinson's Disease patients.” 

2021 Dongwook Wi PhD Thesis: 

“The possible application of Ivermectin (IVM) in conjunction with L-DOPA for PD patients was introduced as a new treatment therapy in this study. By showing the efficacy of IVM on two PD animal models, including MPTP and 6-OHDA, IVM’s function to modulate DA mediated behaviors in PD would suggest as a new therapeutic for neurodegenerative disease in the future.” "new therapeutic for neurodegenerative disease in the future" 

2024 Wadsworth et al: 

“Importantly, when IVM was co-applied with L-DOPA, there was a greater amount of DA release than with L-DOPA alone.” “Ivermectin itself increases DA release in the DS through cholinergic mechanisms, which could potentially benefit those with dysfunction in DA circuity, including those with Parkinson’s Disease, mood disorders, or attention deficit disorder.”

 

Ivermectin for Neurological Disease - Stroke, Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Schizophrenia? Modulated through P2X4 Receptors

Ivermectin exerts much of its neuroprotective effects by modulating P2X4 (Nature 2017).

“Because of its action on P2X4 receptors, ivermectin has potential with respect to preventing alcohol use disorders as well as for motor neuron disease.”

As an aside, Ivermectin reverses the effect of alcohol on P2X4 and has the potential to reduce cravings and consumption of alcoholic beverages in those afflicted with substance use disorder.

However, back to neuroprotection.

“Ivermectin (IVM), a positive modulator of P2X4Rs, enhanced levodopa (L-DOPA)-induced motor behavior. Thus, IVM is increasing striatal dopamine release through enhanced cholinergic activity on dopamine terminals.”

If it is neuroprotective, and the evidence is growing that it is, and humanity is being bombarded with various toxins and electromagnetic frequencies each day that compromise our nervous system, perhaps there is reason to consider Ivermectin as a neuro-protective repurposed drug worthy of use during this dangerous time in our history. Ivermectin’s main mechanism of action in neuroprotection seems to be its stabilization of P2X4 receptors (NueroScience Bulletin 2020).

“Ivermectin is a positive allosteric modulator of P2X4 that stabilizes this subunit in the open state, which consequently may also prevent P2X4 internalization.”

Why is the stabilization of P2X4 so important? Because overexpression of P2X4 is not only a disease driver in ALS and Parkinsonism, it plays a key role in many other diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, Chronic Neuropathic Pain, Migraine, Epilepsy, Alcohol Use Disorder, Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Anxiety. Or to put it more technically, this study explains the pathological role of P2X4 (NueroScience Bulletin 2020):

“In various pathological states, such as trauma, ischemia, chronic pain, neurodegenerative processes, and several neuropsychiatric disorders, de novo expression of P2X4 and/or an increase in cell surface P2X4 density has been reported in microglia and/or neurons, thus suggesting possible key and multiple roles of neuronal and microglial P2X4 receptors in the establishment and/or maintenance of these pathologies. Changes in the intracellular expression of P2X4 may also have important consequences in the pathophysiological context.”

Can Ivermectin play a key role in treating Neurological Disease?

Three peer reviewed pre-clinical papers (below) suggest it might.

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.

Ivermectin and Parkinson's Disease: 2 Case Reports

Case No. 2

Dr William Makis shared 1 case testimonial of ivermectin and parkinson's disease on X.com (August 2025):

IVERMECTIN and FENBENDAZOLE Testimonial - 78 year old Nebraska PARKINSON'S DISEASE patient of 8 years, cured after 4 months!

My best Parkinson's Disease & Ivermectin testimonial yet! 77 year old Nebraska Parkinson's Disease patient of 8 years We started in March 2025 Ivermectin 1mg/kg/day increasing to 1.5mg/kg/day Fenbendazole 888mg/day From patient's daughter:

"He has been on the protocol you gave him for four months"
"Today he went to the neurologist...and unbelievably the doctor told my dad that he is questioning if my dad even has Parkinson's anymore...he told my dad he looks healthier than he's ever looked!"
"He doesn't shuffle or slump over like he used to and his shakes are minimal!!! My dad was just speechless!".

Case No. 1

@Eileen_Graf5689 shared on X.com (August 2025):

I was a RN (now retired). After the jab and comi g down with Covid, my mom has symptoms of Parkinsons (pill rolling, shuffling gait, flat affect, irritability, most of the time she was nonverbal, fatigue, stiffness). I gave her ivermectin 15 mg 2x a day. Cured after 4 weeks.

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.

Related: Autophagy, The Gut's Role and Ivermectin in Parkinson's Disease

Ivermectin and Fenbendazole for White Matter Disease

Rachel Coffenberry shared on X/Twitter (Dec 2024):

"8 weeks of low dose Ivermectin & 5 weeks of fenbendazole 222mg have almost alleviated every bit of neuro/cognitive symptoms that I have suffered with for over 2 years!! They said that my Moderate/Severe White Matter Disease was mimicking a Rapid Progressive Dementia!"

Discussion

The exploration of ivermectin as a potential therapeutic agent for Parkinson’s disease opens a fascinating avenue in neurodegenerative research. Preclinical studies suggest that ivermectin may exert neuroprotective effects through its anti-inflammatory properties and potential modulation of key pathways, such as those involving alpha-synuclein aggregation or mitochondrial dysfunction, which are central to Parkinson’s pathology. For instance, its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and influence neuroinflammation could address critical aspects of disease progression. However, the evidence remains preliminary, primarily derived from in vitro and animal models, with limited human clinical data to support its efficacy or safety in this context.

Several challenges must be addressed before ivermectin can be considered a viable treatment. First, the optimal dosage for neuroprotective effects in humans is unclear, as doses used for parasitic infections may not translate directly to neurological applications. High doses, in particular, raise concerns about toxicity and side effects, especially in a vulnerable population with Parkinson’s. Additionally, the mechanisms by which ivermectin might benefit Parkinson’s patients—whether through reducing inflammation, enhancing autophagy, or protecting dopaminergic neurons—require further elucidation. Current studies also lack long-term data on its impact on disease progression or symptom management compared to established treatments like levodopa.

Moreover, the repurposing of ivermectin highlights broader questions about drug development for neurodegenerative diseases. While its low cost and established safety profile for other indications make it an attractive candidate, rigorous clinical trials are essential to validate its efficacy. The excitement surrounding ivermectin must be tempered by the need for robust, peer-reviewed evidence to avoid premature adoption or overhyped claims, as seen in other contexts. Collaborative efforts between researchers, clinicians, and regulatory bodies will be crucial to determine whether ivermectin can transition from a promising hypothesis to a practical therapy.

Conclusion

The potential of ivermectin as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease represents an intriguing intersection of drug repurposing and neurodegenerative research. While early studies offer promising insights into its neuroprotective capabilities, significant gaps in knowledge remain, particularly regarding its clinical efficacy, safety, and optimal use in human patients. As research progresses, well-designed clinical trials will be essential to clarify ivermectin’s role, in managing Parkinson’s disease. For now, patients and healthcare providers should approach these findings with cautious optimism, recognizing the need for further evidence before integrating ivermectin into general treatment protocols. Continued investigation into this unexpected candidate could not only reshape Parkinson’s therapy but also underscore the value of exploring existing drugs for new applications in the fight against complex diseases.

 

Read More: Brain Health series

Related: 

Best Natural Supplements for Dementia

Eating Soursop could lead to Parkinson's disease (case-control study)

Ivermectin found to work against Parkinson’s, depression, chronic pain and more

Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver Resource

Ivermectin for Asthma?

Pillowcases Have Nearly 20,000 Times More Bacteria Than a Toilet Seat

Neurons burn sugar differently: Discovery offers new hope for fighting neurodegeneration

DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER'S CURE: Fungal Infection in the Brain Produces Effects Similar to Alzheimer's

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.