Approximately 64,000 people currently live with dementia in Ireland, but their could be new hope on the cards as a cure for dementia looks to be that bit closer.
According to a report in the Irish Daily Mail today, Scientists have found a way of repairing 'misfolded' proteins linked to the condition. Researchers found that a 'shock' to cells can reverse the abnormal build-up of proteins called amyloid beta in the brain.
A form of dementia, called Alzheimer's disease is caused when these proteins are misfolded, making them sticky and clump together to form plaques. This is thought to kill brain cells and lead to the disease.
This misfolding can be undone by heat shock proteins, which are triggered by high body temperatures. Research has found that people in Finalnd who use saunas regularly are less likely to get dementia.
Experts now need to find a way for the same reaction to happen in the brain, which could lead to a new drug being created.
The research is in its early stages, warned the team from the UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge.
The senior author of the study, Dr Edward Avezov said: "Optimistically, in the future we could find a drug to awaken this mechanism we have discovered and prevent diseases like dementia"
