‘Game changer’: Daily pill could one day help restore memory for Alzheimer’s patients

Australians living with Alzheimer’s will be the first to trial a new drug which could be the “dawn of a new era” in treating the disease.

If there was a magic pill to slow the progression of Phil Hazel’s Alzheimer’s disease and allow him to forever retain the happy memories he’s made with his wife Jan, he’d happily swallow it.

The Sydney retiree may one day get that chance, with a world-first trial of a drug that promises to reverse the decline in cognitive function in people living with the most prevalent form of dementia to begin in Sydney this week.

After successful animal studies in the US, researchers from St Vincent’s and Adelaide’s Flinders hospitals will start recruiting for study participants to take a once-a-day pill that could prove a “game-changer” for Alzheimer’s patients.

The trial’s principal investigator, St Vincent’s Professor Bruce Brew, said the new drug – SPG 302 – took a completely different approach to tackling Alzheimer’s disease.

“Synapses are the communication ports between nerve cells, and in Alzheimer’s patients these are often lost or damaged in the regions of the brain involved in memory, cognition and mood,” Professor Brew said.

Phil Hazel, pictured with assistance dog Margot, was diagnosed with early onset dementia at just 55. Picture: Daily Telegraph/ Monique Harmer

“This drug somehow improves synaptic formation and in animal models, it not only slowed down impairment in the brain, it improved function.

“The realistic hope is that it will significantly slow or stabilise the disease in Alzheimer’s patients. The ambitious hope is that it will help sufferers actually regain function, and recover memory.”

After a quarter of a century in the field, Professor Brew welcomed the “breakthrough” from US-based company Spinogenix and said it could be the “dawn of a new era” in treating Alzheimer’s.

Around 450,000 Australians are currently living with all forms of dementia, which is the second leading cause of death in Australia behind cardiovascular disease.

A daily pill could reverse the cognitive decline in people with the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease.

For those living with the condition, like Mr Hazel, the new pill brings hope.

The Northmead resident was diagnosed a decade ago at the relatively young age of 55, and was callously told by a doctor to “go home and get your affairs in order”.

“I have times of confusion, they can come on at any time, and I tend to wander the house, not knowing what to do,” he said. “I find it difficult to count, or concentrate, and get a bit unsteady on my feet.

“Yet what I most fear is forgetting Jan’s name, which is something I know will happen and I won’t notice but it will be tough for her.”

Jan is his rock, while Margot – his 20-month-old assistance dog – is his guide.

“Margot finds items when I can’t remember where I’ve put them – my keys, wallet or phone,” he said. “She picks up when I’m getting confused when I’m out and will stop, telling me it’s time to sit down. She gives me the confidence to get out and about.”

Mr Hazel welcomed the drug trial. “We’re all living longer and all forms of the disease are going to show up. Catching the disease at an early age is vital.”

Mr Hazel said the new drug brings hopes to the thousands of Australians living with dementia. Picture: Daily Telegraph/ Monique Harmer

Professor Brew said the clinical trial follows the start of another Australian trial of SPG 203 involving MND patients from three states earlier this year.

“Our study will be small to begin with and if we get positive signals it will be rapidly expanded,” he said.

“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease, where your loved one progressively loses aspects of their being that you knew well.

“We need to do all we can to combat this condition which affects the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Professor Brew said Australia was well regarded internationally for running clinical studies.

Alzheimer’s patients with mild to moderate Alzheimers aged 45-85 are encouraged to apply for the trial. For information visit clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06427668

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