Researchers have announced that a new drug that is currently being tested has showed great signs of improvement in patients who are suffering from mild dementia. Scientists are very hopeful of making a breakthrough with the disease within the next five years and are optimistic that the drug could be given as a preventative measure to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Scientists believe that if future trials of the new drug are successful that it could lead to people with a family history of the disease being given monthly injections of the drug a decade before symptoms of the disease are evident.  Dr. Eric Karran, who is the director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, has said that they are very hopeful that they could make a huge breakthrough within the next few years.

Dr Karran said trials have suggested that a drug called solamezumab could possibly delay the onset of disease, halting problems with brain function and behaviour in those with mild dementia. He said: “I am full of hope that we are going to have a breakthrough in five years.”