Diabetes drug ‘could help stop memory loss in Alzheimer’s sufferers’

A diabetes drug could give new hope to Alzheimer’s research, after it was found to help reverse memory loss, scientists have claimed.

The treatment, called a triple receptor agonist, was originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Now, researchers have found it “significantly” reduced memory loss and learning functions when it was tested on mice with severe nerve cell degeneration.

It also protected nerve cell functioning, reduced Alzheimer’s-linked brain plaques, and slowed cell loss, the Sun reports.

Read more: New research links sleep apnea and higher Alzheimer’s risk

It’s a long way off being ready, as it’s so far only been tested on animals, but Professor Christian Holscher, of Lancaster University, said his team’s research “holds clear promise of being developed into a  treatment”.

He added: “Clinical studies with an older version of this drug type already showed very promising results in ­people with Alzheimer’s or with mood disorders.

“Further tests and comparisons with other drugs are needed to evaluate if this drug is superior.”

Read more: New research discovers a drug that could cure Alzheimer’s

The results of the study, published in the Brain Research journal, revealed the treatment contains three hormones which work together – and it’s administered by an injection.

Dr Doug Brown, of the Alzheimer’s Society, told the Mail Online: “With no new treatments in nearly 15 years, we need to find new ways of tackling Alzheimer’s.

“It’s imperative that we explore whether drugs developed to treat other conditions can benefit people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.”

It’s previously been revealed that Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of a patient also suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Do you know anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s?