London- A new breakthrough study held in Denmark revealed that a drug can stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and it could be available within five years.
The breakthrough was made a Denmark’s Aarthus University and trials have now begun at Imperial College London, with neuro-scientists said to be ‘really excited’, reported “The Express”.
Tests have shown that a cheap drug commonly used to treat diabetes called Liraglutide stopped the brain disease from advancing and in some cases even gave sufferers a cognitive boost.
Moreover, no study has ever shown before such dramatic results, and it could mean those who detect the disease at an early stage could live a lifetime of normal brain function.
Professor Jorgen Rungby, who led the study in Denmark, said: ‘This is a significant step. We now have a drug that appears to have some kind of effect on how the brain works in Alzheimer’s.
‘We are eagerly awaiting the results of larger studies but this would suggest we are on the right track.”
The drug is commonly used to treat diabetes and scientists recognized a link between type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s, as the brain being unable to utilize sugar is a symptom of dementia.
A 26-week test on 38 patients resulted in ‘proof in principle’ that the drug halted the progression of the disease, with patients maintaining their brain metabolism.
It is now being tested on 206 people in 20 hospitals around the UK, who will be given the drug via insulin pen, then have their memory and thinking assessed by doctors.
For his part, Dr Paul Edison, consultant physician at Imperial College, London, is leading the UK trials and expects the results by 2018.
He said: “If effective, there could be a potential new and safe treatment for Alzheimer’s in the next five years.”
Promising Discovery…Diabetes’ Drug Could Cure Alzheimer Patients
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