New drug could be cure for Alzheimer’s

A new drug trialled in Canada has been hailed as the “most exciting breakthrough” yet in the quest to cure people of Alzheimer’s disease.

Previously, treatments for the cognitive disorder have only managed to slow the condition’s progress but this medication has been found to stop the disease in its tracks for as long as three years.

Known as immunoglobulin, the drug could be made into a pill form and be available through pharmacists within the next 10 years.

Canadian scientists unveiled their findings at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Vancouver on Tuesday.

“This type of treatment is a new approach,” one researcher told the Daily Express.

“Previously licensed drugs have only been able to slow the progression of symptoms whereas this drug harnesses the body’s immune system to tackle the underlying cause of the disease.

“The reason that everyone is getting very excited about this is because it’s the most positive finding in research so far. To be able to offer hope – even in the future – is such a great thing. This is a really positive step.”

Immunoglobulin had been used previously to treat people suffering from immune deficiencies but patients with mild to moderate dementia were found to benefit from being given a dosage for up to three years.

Further tests are now scheduled to be carried out to determine what effect the drug has after the initial three year good period.

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research for the Alzheimer’s Society, described the drug as the “most exciting” development to have happened in the fight against the condition for several years.

More than 800,000 people suffer with dementia in the UK and the cost of care to the economy exceeds £25 billion each year.

It is predicted that the number of people diagnosed with the condition will have risen above the one million mark by 2022 if suitable treatments are not found.