Dementia spread could be ‘ stopped in tracks’

New drugs for one of the most common types of dementia could be on the horizon after scientists discovered how it spreads.

The drugs could stop it “in its tracks” by targeting a key chemical called alpha- synuclein according to researchers.

It’s one of four types of rogue proteins believed to be behind the devastating neurological disorder.

It disrupts braincells in Dementia with Lewy bodies - also known as DLB that is progressive and gets worse over time.

Brain tissue from people who died from it showed the protein builds up in vital parts of neurons that connect cells.

These may jump from one cell to another through these connections, say the international team led by Edinburgh University.

The findings shed light on the causes of D LB and will help to speed up the search for a treatment, they say.

The study focused on synapses – the connections between nerve cells that form memories. These allow chemical and electrical signals to flow between cells.

Professor Tara Spires- Jones, who heads up the UK Dementia Research Institute at Edinburgh University, said: “DLB is a devastating condition. Our findings suggest it’ s at least partly driven by damage to synapses.”

Dr Rosa Sanc ho, head of research at Alzheimer’ s Research UK which part- funded the study, said: “This exciting.”