The forgetfulness drug
Daily pill could halt ‘senior moments’ like losing keys
A DRUG designed to reverse everyday forgetfulness that sets in during middle age is to undergo human trials.
‘Senior moments’ – such as forgetting faces, losing keys and wondering why you entered a room – are an annoyance for many over-50s.
But promising research has found it may soon be possible to restore youthful vigour to brain cells. It is hoped a daily pill could keep older brains sharp.
The drug may also provide a treatment for the mild cognitive impairment seen in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
The new treatment has been found to work in ageing mice – improving memories to levels seen in much younger animals.
Clinical trials on humans are expected to take place within two years. The drug is a type of benzodiazepine – a class which also includes anti-anxiety and depression treatment Valium.
Scientists say the ‘tweaked’ version is able to target impairments in brain cells related to memory.
Dr Etienne Sibille, who carried out a study on the drug in Toronto, Canada, said: ‘Currently there are no medications to treat cognitive symptoms such as memory loss that occur in depression, other mental illnesses and ageing.’ He added: ‘Our findings have direct implications for poor cognition in normal ageing.’
Dr Sibille stressed: ‘We are planning our first human safety trial in two years.’ It would then be tested on adults with depression.
He said: ‘This will be followed by studies in older age. Looking into the future, one may suggest anybody over the age of 55 to 60 years who may be at risk of cognitive problems later on could benefit from this treatment. Ideally it will be one pill a day.’ Dr Sibille’s team at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health identified a malfunction in chemicals that are used to transmit messages in mice brains.
They then invented a new chemical compound to target the impairment in brain cells.
It reversed memory loss in mice who had undergone stress. Thirty minutes after treatment the mice performed at normal levels in remembering the layout of mazes.
In another experiment memory declines seen in ageing mice were rapidly reversed. The team said the mice performance was ‘essentially reaching levels seen in youth or earlier stages of adulthood’. The improvement lasted over two months with daily treatment.
Dr Sibille said: ‘The aged cells regrew to appear the same as young brain cells.’