If it worked, Vertex would have a huge lead in kinase-blockers, but the firm lacked the money to mount a large-scale program alone.

FORBES: Machine Gunner

Men on beta-blockers and other medications also had fewer brain abnormalities, but not as big a reduction as that seen in the men on beta-blockers alone.

BBC: Beta-blockers 'may lower dementia risk'

Meanwhile, Dr. Allayee at USC plans to begin a 200-patient clinical trial testing whether leukotriene blockers like Singulair can prevent atherosclerosis in high-risk patients, as soon as he can obtain government funding.

FORBES: Prevention Puzzle

"We were delighted to find that patients who get the current state-of-the-art treatment with platelet blockers, medical treatment and stents during procedures had a significant improvement in their outcome, " said Dr. Christopher Cannon, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and a principal investigator for a number of heart-related studies at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

CNN: Research closing in on heart disease