Researchers indentify means to reverse Alzheimer's

Researchers in the US believe that they have found a way to reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

The recent study identified that an enzyme (HDAC2) overproduced by the brains of patients with the condition blocks the creation of genes necessary to form and retain new memories. By inhibiting the enzyme in mice, researchers were able to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Drugs to prevent the creation of HDAC2 could be key to preventing and reversing Alzheimer's disease, which is a growing problem in the UK.

However, Dr Li-Huei Tsai, leader of the research team, warns that it is likely to take ten years to develop and test such a drug.

"I would really strongly advocate for an active program to develop agents that can contain HDAC2 activity," he said.

"The disease is so devastating and affects so many people, so I would encourage more people to think about this."

Such a drug will be vital to prevent health services in Britain from being overwhelmed in the future, as a result of the ageing population.

Find out more about Alzheimer's disease care at Barchester homes.