The study conducted at Baylor College of Medicine here showed that Dimebon can improve memory, behavior and the ability to conduct simple activities in dementia patients.
The pill was once licensed in Russia as an antihistamine but was dropped when better treatments came on the market.
In Alzheimer's disease, brain cells are killed by a build up of toxic plaques and tangled proteins, leading to forgetfulness, mood swings, dementia and death. Researchers say the drug foils the brain-rotting plaques of the disease.
The team enrolled 155 patients at 11 sites in Russia, who were given a dose of Dimebon three times a day or a harmless lookalike pill called a placebo for six months.
After the trial period, the subjects were assessed according to a scale to measure cognitive abilities and memory. Researchers found that people on the medication continued to improve over time, while the placebo group showed clear deterioration.
It is not exactly known exactly how the drug works, but research has found that it has a protective effect on animal nerve brain cells.
The findings are published in the latest issue of The Lancet.
