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18 Jul 2008
A drug formerly approved and prescribed as an antihistamine may benefit patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
Professor of neurology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Dr Rachelle Doody, suggests that the drug Dimebon caused a continuous improvement in the thought processes of 183 Alzheimer's patients and their overall ability to function, over a 12-month period.
"More research is needed, but we are encouraged by the effect the drug Dimebon had on Alzheimer's patients," she said.
The researchers believe that the drug served to prevent the death of brain cells, therefore aiding improvement in patients' memory and behaviour rather than a decline.
"What we saw in the clinical trial is that people on the medication continued to improve over time. As we continue research, we hope to replicate these results. My belief is that this drug will turn out to be useful for Alzheimer's disease, regardless of the stage of the disease."
Currently moving into phase 3 trials, should the medication be proved effective, it would offer the first medication of its kind to treat dementia.
The findings are published in the July issue of The Lancet.
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