LIGHT RELIEF FOR ALZHEIMER'S SUFFERERS

A special helmet which emits low levels of ultraviolet light could hold the key to reversing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and stopping it dead in its tracks. The helmet works by bathing the brain with ultraviolet light, which in turn stimulates the growth of new brain cells. For best results it needs to be worn for at least ten minutes every day by sufferers in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Researchers at the University of Sunderland believe that the helmet could reverse and stop memory loss and decay in as little as four weeks.

The team have already seen successful results when using ultraviolet light to reverse the symptoms of memory loss in mice. The results led to the creation of the helmet which is now due to be used in further trials on human patients. There are currently at least 500,000 Alzheimer’s sufferers in Britain today with approximately 700,000 dementia sufferers. Alzheimer’s disease charities have described the new treatment as “life changing”. A spokesman said, “A treatment that reverses the effects of dementia rather than just temporarily halting its symptoms could change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people”. The new treatment is certainly a great medical breakthrough, offering hope to Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers everywhere.