Drug that will halt Alzheimer’s is ‘less than a decade away’ after former PM David Cameron pledged £300million to find cure
Experts predict daily pill may lead to the NHS screening all middle-aged Brits for the disease which affects 850,000
A DRUG that halts Alzheimer’s is less than a decade away and could be prescribed to millions like statins, leading experts predict.
It could lead to the NHS screening all middle-aged Brits for the disease as part of a national programme.
Scientists said dementia-preventing drugs similar to statins are the best hope for fighting Alzheimer’s.
Millions of healthy Brits could be offered a daily pill that protects against the brain-wasting disease - in the same way as cholesterol-busting drugs prevent heart attacks.
The claims come a week after millions had their hopes dashed when a promising drug expected to beat Alzheimer’s failed.
Early tests on solanezumab found it slowed the disease in those with mild signs. But a larger trial showed it was no better than a dummy drug at halting memory loss.
Around 850,000 Brits have dementia – and there is currently no effective treatment.
But current medications can help to slow down the symptoms.
David Cameron pledged £300 million to find medicines to halt or cure the disease by 2025.
Professor John Hardy, from University College London, said he believed the target would be hit.
He said: “I would say I am optimistic for a disease modifying treatment. I think that’s realistic.
“This is one of the few David Cameron promises that I think is likely to be still on the road.”
He added: “I take statins every morning. One would not take statins for a stroke.
“You take statins to reduce your cholesterol, to make sure a stroke is less likely, but you don’t take it acutely during a stroke.
“It is possible that this type of analogy holds true in Alzheimer’s disease.”
New drugs are being trialled that reduce levels of harmful protein deposits in the brain – a hallmark of the disease.
Called amyloid plaques, these deposits are toxic and destroy healthy brain tissue.
Experts said once an effective medicine is found, there will be “unstoppable” pressure to prescribe it to millions.
UCL neurology professor Dr Nick Fox, said: “If we have something that really makes a difference and really slows onset there will be a very strong case for screening.
“First we have to show benefit, then we will be working out if we can give it earlier.
“I think it is perfectly reasonable to say we may well have a better chance earlier, and a drug may work earlier. There is no disease where it’s better to wait and treat later.”