Latest Health news

A drug that has previously been used to treat skin cancer has been shown to be an effective way of fighting Alzheimer's disease.

Doctors at Cape Western Reserve University used bexarotene to instigate significant improvements in brain health, memory and behaviour.

Dr Anne Corbett from the Alzheimer's Society said: "This exciting study could be the beginning of a journey towards a potential new way to treat Alzheimer's disease."

Within six minutes of administering the drug, the level of the debilitating protein amyloid fell by a quarter. However, professor Derek Hill from University College London urged caution stating that it takes a long time and many clinical trials before drugs for the brain condition can be deemed safe.

There is currently no cure for the disease.

The Alzheimer's society states that there will be more than a million people suffering with the condition in the UK by 2021.

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