Is the next treatment for Alzheimer's already out there?

Researchers at Southampton University will examine whether the drugs could counteract some of the brain changes that are characteristic of the disease. The study is one of eight new Alzheimer's Society research projects, pushing the charity's current investment in research to over £6 million.

Alzheimer's Society previously funded research to develop a fruit fly model of Alzheimer's disease - genetically modified flies with nerve cells that contain abnormal tau proteins like those found in people with Alzheimer's. Researchers will now use this model to see whether a number of potential drugs counteract the harmful effects of abnormal tau and warrant further investigation.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research at Alzheimer's Society says,

'Unless we act now, one million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease that robs people of their lives. A cheap, accessible and safe treatment could transform the quality of life of thousands of people with the disease. With the right investment, dementia can be defeated.'

Dr Amrit Mudher, lead researcher from University of Southampton, says,

'Dementia is drastically underfunded and there are so many avenues of Alzheimer's research being left unexplored. There is also no commercial gain in exploring existing drugs developed for other conditions, which is why it is so important that Alzheimer's Society, as a charity, is able to fund this project.

'Indian communities that regularly eat curcumin have a surprisingly low incidence of Alzheimer's, but we do not know why. Part of our research will investigate how curcumin may help protect the brain and prevent the disease.'

Tau proteins are found in all nerve cells and help support the shape of nerve cells, enabling them to communicate with each other. In the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease tau proteins become abnormal, stopping the nerve cells communicating and eventually leading to cell death.