Memory booster pill for the elderly in the offing
October 13th, 2010 - 3:24 pm ICT by IANSSydney, Oct 13 (IANS) A pill that prevents forgetfulness among the elderly is being developed by British doctors.
The drug, aimed at treating absent-mindedness rather than brain diseases, has been tested on animals, with encouraging results.
Human trials are expected to begin next year. If successful, the drug will be available commercially within the next five years, reports the Daily Mail.
Jonathan Seckl, who led the research at the Edinburgh University, said upto a third of the elderly population suffers from what is euphemistically called mild cognitive impairment.
“Forgetfulness is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, it is pretty frustrating if you can’t remember why you left your home or where you put your keys,” he said.
Memory-related problems are caused partially due to high levels of stress hormones, including cortisol, which damage the brain’s memory hub’, a report in the Journal of Neuroscience said.
The drug, developed by Prof Seckl and his team, controls the formation of an enzyme called 11-beta-HSD1 which boosts the level of cortisol in the body.
Known as UOE1961, the drug sharpened the minds of elderly mice to such an extent that they were as good as younger creatures at performing tasks of memory and learning. Results suggest the drug will work only on the ageing brain.
- Soon, drug to stop memory loss - Oct 13, 2010
- New role for zebrafish in human studies - May 20, 2010
- Asthma drug could help fight Alzheimer's - Mar 27, 2011
- Exercise important for those at special risk for Alzheimer's - Nov 19, 2010
- Drug reversing Alzheimer's symptoms found - Feb 12, 2012
- Why some people are apple-shaped and others pear-shaped - Mar 10, 2011
- Brain chemical boosts memory, could treat Alzheimer's - Jan 27, 2011
- Drug reverses Alzheimer's symptoms in mice: Study - Feb 10, 2012
- Second molecule in Alzheimer's toxic duo identified - Feb 04, 2011
- Are you pear or apple shaped? Blame your proteins - Mar 10, 2011
- 'Alzheimer's patients require love, care, medicines' - Sep 20, 2011
- Set of proteins linked to over 130 brain diseases discovered - Dec 20, 2010
- Forgetting to eat can thin out Alzheimer's victims - Nov 22, 2011
- Vitamin pill can help reverse memory loss - Sep 14, 2011
- Nicotine could play role in Alzheimer's disease therapy - Oct 14, 2010
Tags: absent mindedness, brain diseases, british doctors, cortisol, creatures, daily mail, edinburgh university, elderly population, extent, forgetfulness, hub, jonathan, journal of neuroscience, levels of stress, memory booster, mice, mild cognitive impairment, next five years, risk factor, stress hormones