Daffodil dementia drug hailed

Tuesday, 19 June, 2001, 23:13 GMT 00:13 UK - A drug derived from daffodils
has been found effective in halting the progress of different types of
dementia.

The drug, Reminyl (galantamine) is already recommended by the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

But researchers from Swindon have shown that it can also be beneficial in
treating vascular dementia, which is caused by damage to the blood vessels
leading to the brain.

It affects between six and 12 people per 1,000 over 70 across the world.

Between 11% and 30% have a combination of the two, called "mixed dementia".

It is the second biggest cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, and
is often triggered by one or more small strokes.

Findings presented to the World Congress of Neurology in London on Tuesday
showed Reminyl improved memory, orientation and language skills.

Patients taking the drug were able to perform activities such as bathing,
dressing and doing housework.

Mervyn Richardson and his wife Beryl from Poole in Dorset can testify to
the benefits of Reminyl.

Mervyn, 66, first persuaded his wife Beryl, 71, to visit her GP late on in
1998 when she showed signs of mental deterioration.

By January this year Mrs Richardson, who has a mixture of Alzheimer's and
vascular dementia, had seriously deteriorated.

Her husband, who was concerned she might have to go into residential care,
said: "She was extremely ill. Mentally she was deteriorating quite fast,
and her physical health was also bad."

After many battles with their health authority by Mr Richardson, who has
worked as a chemist and biologist on behalf of organisations, including the
World Health Organization, his wife began taking the drug in March 2000.

Mr Richardson said she is much more alert than she was before she began
taking Reminyl.

Shortly after she began the treatment, Mrs Richardson - who at her worst
had only been able to take part in conversations by grunting - said: "My
head no longer feels like its filled with cotton wool."

Just under 600 patients with vascular or mixed dementia took part in the
six-month study.

Reminyl was given to 396 patients, and a placebo was given to the remaining
196.

The 459 people (295 of whom had been on the drug, and 164 who had not) took
part in a further six-month study where they all took Reminyl.

The study found after 12 months, those patients who had been taking the
drug throughout the study had better cognitive abilities than when they
began the treatment.

Those who took the placebo for the first six months saw their mental
awareness decline, though after being on the drug for six months, they also
improved.

The drug works by preventing the breakdown a brain chemical crucial to
memory and learning.

It also stimulates proteins in the brain to produce more of the key chemical.

Dr Roger Bullock, of Swindon's Kingshill Research Centre, who led one of 10
patient trials across Europe and Canada, said: "This study has the
potential to make a real impact on the way dementia is treated throughout
the world.

"If the findings of this study are replicated through further research,
physicians will no longer need to hesitate before treating dementia in
individuals in whom vascular damage has occurred."

It follows research published last week, which showed people with high
blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels have a much higher risk of
getting Alzheimer's disease as they get older.

Dr Richard Harvey, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society told BBC
News Online the findings would help doctors treating patients where it was
difficult to distinguish the exact cause of their dementia.

He said: "This drug is a short-term treatment. It slows down the progress
of the condition and people see quite significant benefits."

Related to this story:
High blood pressure link to dementia (14 Jun 01 | Health)
Genetic clue to Alzheimer's risk (18 Jun 01 | Health)
NHS 'to provide Alzheimer's drugs' (19 Jan 01 | Health)
'Chaos' over funds for Alzheimer's drugs (11 Oct 00 | Health)
Vaccine hope for Alzheimer's (06 Jun 01 | Health)

Internet links:
World Congress of Neurology
Alzheimer's Society
Kingshill Research Centre

BBC News Online: Health
http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/health/newsid_1396000/1396835.stm

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