Alzheimer's drug may treat memory loss

A study looking into the long-term impact of a drug created to help sufferers of Alzheimer's disease has concluded that it may aid memory loss.

Doctors at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Semel Institute tested a small number of adults with mild age-related memory loss.

Some of which were given a drug that treats Alzheimer's disease called Aricept, while the rest were given a daily placebo.

Both sets were given a positron emission technology (PET) scan before the treatment and another one 18 months later, when the treatment was concluded.

The results concluded that those who were given Aricept showed an increased metabolism rate in the brain and the brain looked more normal than those who took the placebo.

Although both groups scored the same on memory tests, the research suggests that treating early symptoms of memory loss may protect the brain and help people with mild age-related memory impairment.

The findings were presented yesterday (July 30th) at the 'Hot Topics' poster session of the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2008.