Alzheimer's disease could be stopped in its tracks by new drug with potential to 'prevent progression'

Researchers are in the early tests of a new drug- different than the new dementia drug - that has the potential to “prevent the progression” of Alzheimer’s- which recently found a new potential culprit behind the disease . Alzeheimer’s Society UK is funding the study.

The medication, callled RI-AG03, reportedly works by targeting two key areas of a protein linked to Alzheimers - where some patients have claimed they have reversed the disease - tau proteins.

Researchers say that RI-AG03 tested successful in preventing the build-up of tau proteins in both fruit fly and laboratory studies.

• Terry Bradshaw leaves Fox NFL Sunday panel speechless by interrupting Strahan's celebration with bizarre joke

• The 'A-list' celebrities who 'attended' Diddy's infamous 'white parties'

Dr Anthony Aggidis, the lead author and visiting researcher at the University of Southampton, said that their research is vital to the progression of the disease.

“Our research represents an important step toward creating treatments that can prevent the progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s,” Dr.Aggidis said.

Tau proteins are proteins that help stabilize the skeleton of nerve cells, called neurons, in the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease, these tau proteins malfunction, clumping together to form tangles, which clog the neurons and hinder the flow of nutrients and information essential to the survival of the neurons.

• Colin Farrell movie is 'must see' as Netflix fans hail it as 'gripping' with 'excellent dialogue'
• Liam Neeson's 2-word response after meeting future girlfriend Helen Mirren

As neurons die, thinking, memory and behavior decrease, which leads to the cognitive decline seen in patients with Alzehiemers.

There are two general hotspots where the tau proteins clump together, and the new drug both focuses on and blocks those hotspots.

According to Gloucestershire Live, to verify that the success was not unique to just fruit flies, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre tested the drug on a type of living human cell as well.

• Prince Louis' hilarious 'six-word demand' to Princess Kate speaks volumes
• Taylor Swift makes major change to Eras Tour after many fans left disappointed

Dr.Richard Oakley, associate director for research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society UK, said the development is very exciting.

“This drug has the potential to be more targeted than others currently being studied, and we hope it will result in fewer toxic side effects. It’s important to note that the study is in its early stages, so we don’t yet know if it will work or be safe for humans, but it’s an exciting development and we look forward to seeing where it leads."