New drug can prevent Alzheimer's

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Thirty-five years ago, two scientists made a discovery they believed would change Alzheimer's research forever.

Now they say they have succeeded.

Fiona Crawford is one of the world's leading Alzheimer's experts. She studied at the prestigious Saint Mary's University in London and left her life in Ireland behind to enter a field of science that was just entering the spotlight. That was in 1988, and it took just two years for her to publish groundbreaking research.

Amyloid is a protein in the brain that is supposed to be there. It has a perfectly normal function, but scientists aren't quite sure what it is.

At the moment, Crawford thinks it might have something to do with the blood vessels, but she's not sure.

What they does What is known for sure is that as we age, amyloid sometimes builds up in the brain. What should normally be filtered out with the blood or spinal fluid builds up instead and eventually causes Alzheimer's.

Crawford put forward this theory 35 years ago, and in 2024, drugs based on her research will finally come onto the market.

Unfortunately, it's not right for everyone. People in late-stage Alzheimer's disease continue to take the medications they're already taking – these drugs are designed to maintain the communication pathways that have already begun to break down.

The new drug is intended for patients in the early stages. It has an almost preventive effect by binding amyloid to protein and excreting it. before Alzheimer's begins to spread.

Crawford says it's an extremely exciting time, not just for her but for the entire field. Scientists are starting to get a clearer picture of the brain, and with that comes more specific hypotheses, more targeted treatments, and a better world for all of us.

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