Clioquinol and beta amyloid in Alzheimer's disease

'The Alzheimer's Society welcomes this research as the results indicate that there may be a new use for this existing drug in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The results also pose new and interesting questions about how Clioquinol affects the amyloid proteins in the brain. More research is needed to investigate this effect.

This trial is limited in scale and the Alzheimer's Society believes it would be valuable to see a larger scale trial.

The potential for new drugs that may interfere with or revert the progression of Alzheimer's disease gives hope to people with dementia and their carers. There are currently only limited treatments for Alzheimer's disease, and none that revert the disease for more than a short period.

Clioquinol is currently used in creams or ointments to treat infections of the skin. The Alzheimer's Society does not recommend its use for any other purpose.'

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research