It promises to be a breakthrough in the fight against the previously incurable Alzheimer’s disease. Hope is given by … a drug for diabetes. As scientists from Lancaster University have shown, the active substance contained in it is able to reverse brain damage even with the advanced stage of the disease.
The mysterious compound is liraglutide, used to treat type 2 diabetes (it stimulates insulin production). Mice with Alzheimer’s given it scored better on object recognition tests, and importantly, they had a reduction in brain damage by about 30 percent.
This exciting study suggests that the biological causes of Alzheimer’s disease can be reversed. It is also proof that we are well on our way to success, says Dr. Doug Brown, research director of the Alzheimer’s Society. Human clinical trials are necessary to finally confirm the efficacy of liraglutide. Scholars at London’s Imperial College are about to begin recruiting volunteers.
– Developing new drugs based on information from previous research on liraglutide could take up to 20 years and cost millions. We must do everything we can to accelerate this process, adds Dr Brown.
Alzheimer’s disease is most common in people over the age of 65. Around the world, it affects nearly 30 million people, in Poland, approx. 200 thousand.