DEMENTIA patients have welcomed the news that drugs which

could slow or prevent the onset of the condition could be

available in as little as eight years, time.

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have managed to

produce a mouse which has the same type of brain degeneration

seen in Lewy body disease – a condition which shares

characteristics with Alzheim-er's and Parkinson's disease.

It is hoped that studying the mouse will help scientists

understand more about how brain cells deteriorate and allow

drugs to be developed to treat the disease while the patient is

still in the early stages.

Heather Roberts, of Woodybank Close, Allestree, was

diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease three years ago and has been

raising awareness of the condition ever since through her work

as an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society.

The 53-year-old said: "It is very good news. Any

advancements such as this can only be a positive step

forward.

"At the moment there is no way of really treating

Alzheimer's, so drugs that can be used in the early stages to

stop or slow down the disease would be fantastic."

The research has been carried out by Professor John Mayer

and Dr Lynn Bedford from the university's school of biomedical

sciences and Professor Jim Lowe from the school of molecular

medical sciences.

Prof Mayer said: "It has taken eight-and-a-half years and

cost something in the region of £2m to produce the mouse model,

which is the first of its kind.

"Current drugs given to people with Lewy body and

Parkinson's disease simply treat the symptoms. We will use this

model to identify targets for new drugs to slow or prevent the

disease."

It is estimated that it will take about three years to find

out exactly how the brain deterioration takes place and a

further five to develop a treatment.

About 700,000 people in the UK currently suffer from

dementia, about 15% of whom have Lewy body disease, and this

figure is expected to double within a generation.

The research was jointly funded by the Alzheimer's Research

Trust and the Parkinson's Disease Society.

Trust chief executive Rebecca Wood said: "This is a crucial

breakthrough for scientists."

On Saturday, September 13, the Alzheimer's Society is

holding its fund-raising Memory Walk. It takes place at 10.30am

in Markeaton Park, Derby. To register and for more information

call 07923 471181, e-mail derby@ alzheimers.org.uk or visit

www.memorywalk.org. uk.

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