Some of the articles run by the Daily Mail over the past year or so:
28 August 2007: “How statins can help to guard against Alzheimer’s” by David Derbyshire reports on a study conducted at the University of Washington School of Medicine in the States, indicating that anti-cholesterol drugs called “statins,” which have traditionally been taken to prevent heart disease and strokes, may also have the capacity to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
22 August 2007: “Jab that could ease Alzheimer’s torment” by Science Reporter Fiona MacRae claims that researchers from the New York University Medical Centre in America have created a vaccine that could provide relief to Alzheimer’s sufferers.
13 August 2007: “Alzheimer’s drug offers new hope” notes that research conducted by the University of Rochester in the USA could lead to trials of a drug that eases the symptoms of the devastating disease in just two years.
7 August 2007: “We’re failing dementia patients, says minister” by Medical Correspondent Jenny Hope reports on the Government’s announcement of a national strategy to deal with the disease after acknowledging that not enough is being done to support dementia victims and those who have to care for them.
31 July 2007: "Research backs use of 'blocked' dementia drug" by Science Reporter Fiona MacRae reports that the Alzheimer's drug, Aricept - deemed too expensive for broadscale use in the UK, has been shown to dramatically improve sufferers' quality of life.
27 July 2007: "The Last Taboo" features columnist Bel Mooney's reflections on the controversial broadcasting of the dying days of talented pianist and Alzheimer's sufferer Malcolm Pointon tirelessly cared for by his wife, Barbara.
24 July 2007: "Alzheimer's 'holy grail' " by Fiona MacRae notes that British scientists at St Andrews University are working to develop a new drug which could repair damage to the brain and reverse memory loss.
11 June 2007: “Alzheimer’s cases will quadruple to 1.7m in 40 years,” by Health Reporter Daniel Martin who notes that the Alzheimer’s Society has put the cost of the condition to the UK at £17 billion a year.
11 June 2007: “The blood pressure drug that can halt Parkinson’s disease,” also by Daniel Martin, about research into drugs commonly used to treat high blood pressure found to be slowing down or even halting the progress of Parkinson’s, which may lead to the biggest advance in managing the disease for 30 years.
5 June 2007: “Soybean extract for Alzheimer’s” about research which shows that a type of sugar found in soybeans may obstruct build-up of the beta amyloid protein, which leads to the slow creation of plaques that stop the brain working properly.
4 June 2007: “Heavy snorers ‘are at greater risk of getting Alzheimer’s’” by Peter Stebbings which reported that researchers have discovered that a reduced flow of oxygen to the brain can cause the condition.
30 May 2007: “Garden spray danger” by Science Reporter Fiona MacRae about an EU-funded study confirming suspicions that chemicals found in everyday products are doing untold damage to health, including increasing the risk of Parkinson’s disease by more than 40 percent.
28 May 2007: “ ‘Brainy’ mice may hold key to Alzheimer’s” noted that scientists have genetically engineered breeding of mice lacking the enzyme Cdk5, which is linked to the death of brain cells in Alzheimer’s patients suggesting efforts be made to identify drugs which can suppress this enzyme.
24 March 2007: “Wear your memory round your neck” by Science Reporter Fiona MacRae who writes that a camera has been developed to help sufferers improve their memory.
13 March 2007: “Stem-cell breakthrough boosts war on Alzheimer’s” reporting on scientific research which has used human stem cells to treat a degenerative brain condition in mice in a breakthrough which offers hope to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s sufferers.
9 March 2007: “230,000 thanks” by Medical Correspondent Jenny Hope who reports on the Mail’s campaign to raise money to help fund the Alzheimer’s Society’s legal challenge against the ban imposed by the NHS ‘rationing’ watchdog NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) on drugs for patients with mild or severe symptoms.
3 August 2006: “Having the occasional curry ‘could prevent Alzheimer’s,” based on the claim that curry could help improve mental agility and stave off the disease.
April 2006: Medical Correspondent Jenny Hope reported on Manchester University research about blood clots in the brain, whose significance is the potential to spot and treat Alzheimer’s and Dementias more easily.
18 April 2006: “Anti-Alzheimer’s diet” about the possibility that a Mediterranean menu can cut the risk of disease by 40 percent, according to experts, as reported by Science Correspondent Julie Wheldon.
3 April 2006: “Chinese herb implant for Alzheimer’s” about a drug known as ZT-1, derived from a Chinese herb and implanted in the stomach, being used to treat patients. While not a cure, research shows it can “stabilise or improve mood and behaviour.”
We will be updating this page routinely.