Drug trials raise hopes of treatment for Alzheimer's

DEMENTIA experts have declared “hope is on the horizon” after a review showed a rise in the number of drugs that could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease.

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

Some 138 treatments are currently being assessed, with many showing “cause for optimism”.

A third of the drugs being trialled are “re-purposed” medications that are already used to tackle other conditions, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and high cholesterol.

Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This latest report shows us that there is hope on the horizon for people with Alzheimer's.

“What this paper is showing us is that the pipeline of drug development is growing, it’s diversifying and accelerating.

“This year has really given us real cause for optimism.”

She said that as well as more drugs coming through the pipeline, the treatment targets are now “more diverse” and “looking at all stages of the disease”.