Researchers from The Aberdeen University say the drug, known as Rember, is in the second of three stages of development. The drug was given to 321 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in 30, 60 or 100mg doses of the drug or a placebo.
The drug, which targets the build-up of a specific protein in the brain, showed an 81 percent difference in rate of mental decline compared with those not taking the treatment. The 60mg dose produced the most significant effect as the patients showed an almost seven-point difference over 50 weeks for symptoms of dementia.
The drug was developed by Singapore-based TauRx Therapeutics. Preliminary results of the study were presented Tuesday at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Chicago.
