Promising results for dimebon in Alzheimer’s trial

An old Russian antihistamine, no longer in clinical use, may be effective at treating mild-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial, published in The Lancet today, shows a significant improvement in cognitive function after 6 months in patients treated with dimebon versus those treated with placebo.

With the drug being an old drug, not requiring any further development, it is hoped that if further studies confirm its efficacy, it may be a cheap and effective treatment for dementia – see BBC News story.