Drug to stop dementia in its tracks

Trials have been conducted on mice which have resulted in a reduction of plaques in the brain and the creation of new nerve cells.

Scientists are highly encouraged by the results and hope the new drug will stop Alzheimer’s in the very early stages.

David Allsop, professor of neuroscience at Lancaster University, said, “Many people who are mildly forgetful may go on to develop the disease because these senile plaques start forming years before any symptoms manifest themselves.  The ultimate aim is to give the drug at that stage to stop any more damage to the brain, before it’s too late.”

Researchers have long known that ‘amyloid plaques’ are associated with Alzheimer’s but there is a debate as to whether the removal significantly improves symptoms or, if it is too late ones the plaques have formed.

Alzheimer’s Research UK’s director or research, Dr Eric Karran said, “These are promising early-stage results, and several years more work will be required to assess the potential of this approach.”