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New dementia treatments may be available ‘within five years’

in
Date published: 
Monday, March 23, 2009
News source: 
The Alzheimer’s Research Trust
Region: 
United Kingdom
Featured item on home page: 
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New drugs that can halt or slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease could be available for the first time in the next five years, experts at the Alzheimer’s Research Trust’s conference believe.

Up to 11 medicines are now in late stage clinical trials and should be reporting results in 12 months to three years.
 
The drugs target key biological pathways that drive Alzheimer's progression. They represent a radical departure from current forms of treatment, many of which help reduce symptoms but cannot prevent the disease destroying large parts of the brain.
 
Scientists are presenting on these, and other efforts to defeat dementia, at the Alzheimer’s Research Trust’s 10th annual conference – the largest ever gathering of dementia researchers in the UK.
 
Prof Simon Lovestone of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London said:
"In the next five or 10 years there is a good chance of having treatments that slow down the rate of progression of Alzheimer's disease.
"If it fails, we are heading for the most unmitigated disaster. We need these drugs to work."
 
The work of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, and its scientists at the conference, has been praised by the Prince of Wales and Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent.
 
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, praised the work of those who speak publicly about their experience with dementia, including the charity’s Patron Sir Terry Pratchett. She said: “We’re killing the stigma, now let’s finish off the disease.”
 

 

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