Scientist’s eureka moment that found a ‘cure’ for Alzheimer’s

[malaise]

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/scientist-s-eureka-moment-that-found-a-cure-for-alzheimer-s-1.1070170
<snip>
Scientists at Dundee University have discovered that anti-diabetes drugs can be used to fight Alzheimer’s disease, after a researcher had a flash of inspiration during her commute.

Professor Susan Schweiger had a eureka moment while cycling to work and decided to use the diabetes drug metformin to treat dementia patients.

After investigating this hunch, a team of researchers found that the drug can not only treat Alzheimer’s disease, but prevent it developing in healthy people.

Although it was already known there was a link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s, this was the first time the drug has been used to combat the disease.

[RKP5637]

1. Recommend!!! n/t

[Hawkeye-X]

2. I HATE Metformin

I hope they enjoy the side effects... ugh....

I take Glyburide instead. My sugar levels have been manageable (not diabetic - borderline)

[HuckleB]

3. Not everyone has the same side effects to every medication.

Just saying.

[qazplm]

5. hey if the alternatives are

side effects and you know who you and everyone around you are, and no side effects and you are effectively not you anymore, I pick the side effects with a side of fries.

[HereSince1628]

9. When I first took it, I got metallic 'smells' in my nose

I've either become accustomed to that and no longer notice it, or it was a passing side effect. Gas pains have become a regular part of life.

It doesn't seem to help me with my wake up spikes at all and that's where my biggest BG management problem is.

A year ago I could stay in the 90-110 range using exercise and diet, now I can't do much better than staying less than 140 with only diet and exercise.

[dflprincess]

4. There is also some evidence that metaformin and some other diabetes drugs

help prevent the spread of lung cancer.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

6. K & R

[BuelahWitch]

7. I always felt that if my Mom's doctors would have LISTENED TO ME

and treated her for diabetes, that her dementia would not have gotten so bad. For all I know I could have had a few more good years with her. This more or less proves it. :cry:

[mitchtv]

8. Metformin has a foul smell

like goldfish food or something, Anyone know what it's made of?

[applegrove]

10. This is excellent news.

[safeinOhio]

11. More on the drug. Why everyone should ask doctor about

being on metormin.



http://search.lef.org/cgi-src-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=355&query=metformin&hiword=METFORMINS%20metformin%20

[malaise]

13. Very interesting

Thanks for the link

[Pathwalker]

12. Wow! I take this drug - without side effects. That's unusual for me,

since I have trouble with many medications, and am severely allergic to several. Thank you for this very good news.

[delightfulstar]

14. K&R, Good to hear there's some hope

I have lost a couple of people (including my Father) to this terrible disease, so anything that goes in the direction of a cure gives me hope. He wasn't diabetic in the least - in fact, he was hypoglycemic, with low blood pressure - but still showed all of the hallmarks of AD. It's a horrifying thing to see someone you love, who is vibrant and intelligent and active, decline to the point of needing assistance for almost everything. If the continued research pans out, and it can prevent my children and me from going through this yet again, I'm all for it.

[malaise]

15. Nice post

Welcome to DU :hi:

No one on mom's side had this awful disease but my dad's youngest sister doesn't even recognize her kids and grandkids.

[tblue37]

16. OMG! I sure hope this is true! 1/4 of all people who survive to 80 eventually get Alzheimer's.

I hope for a long life, but I have always feared that my mind could go if I lived long enough.