This story is from our news.com.au network Source: AAP

Alzheimer's cure getting closer

AUSTRALIAN scientists may have found a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

In a world first, a Melbourne research team has developed the once-a-day pill to combat the brain disease.

Human trials of the drug start next month.

The drug, known as PBT2, was developed by the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria in partnership with Prana Biotechnology in Melbourne.

"It is a major breakthrough and very much a Melbourne discovery,'' said Professor George Fink, the director of the Mental Health Research Institute.

"Though much depends on the next phase of human clinical trials ... early results indicate this drug offers hope to people with Alzheimer's disease.''

Prof Fink said the drug could prevent or delay Alzheimer's from developing.

Many scientists accept amyloid is a major cause of Alzheimer's as the protein is thought to cause the brain to "rust'', and clinical tests have found the drug acts fast, lowering amyloid levels by 60 per cent within 24 hours of a dose.

It also found PBT2 suppressed the impairment of memory function.