Light at the End of the Tunnel?

UK scientists have developed a drug which may halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Trials of the drug, known as rember, in 321 patients showed an 81% difference in rate of mental decline compared with those not taking the treatment. The Aberdeen University researchers said the drug targeted the build-up of a specific protein in the brain.

Alzheimer's experts were optimistic about the results, but said larger trials were now needed.
Presenting the results at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, Professor Claude Wischik said the drug may be on the market by 2012.

From the BBC News Website (for full story click on the blog title)

Alzheimer's is a soul destroying - as well as mind destroying - illness. I had close hand experience of it a few years ago when two elderly relatives took it. The couple had been married for over sixty years but age took its toll and the old man died after a long illness. His wife had been struggling with the onset of Alzheimer's for some time but the traumatic effect of losing her beloved seemed to intensify her illness. She stood motionless at his funeral and asked me the heartbreaking question - 'who has died, son?'

A couple of years ago there was a television documentary about former Scotland football manager Ally McLeod, famous - perhaps some might say infamous - for leading Scotland to the ill-fated World Cup Finals in 1978. In his twilight years, Ally was affected by Alzheimers and the documentary showed an ailing Ally sitting at home with his wife watching old videos of Scotland losing to Peru. Strikingly, Ally could not recall what had happened. He has now since passed away.

A very dear friend of mine in Seattle is anxious about her mother who has recently been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's. I hope this news item will give June and millions of other people in her situation some hope.

Perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel...