TRADITIONAL MEDICINE: Turmeric at a wholesale shop in Kochi, Kerala. — Photo: K.K. Mustafah

NEW DELHI: Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that turmeric holds the potential to fight against Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common form of illness among the elderly across the world.

Reporting their findings in a recent issue of the scientific journal, Journal of Biological Chemistry, the scientists said their studies indicated that turmeric could be more effective than not only many of the existing medications, but also the new therapies under test.

The studies, which were conducted on genetically altered mice, found that turmeric not only inhibited the accumulation of beta amyloid, a protein, in the brains of the Alzheimer's patients, but also broke up the existing plaques. In other words, the studies suggested that it could be used for both treatment and prevention. As a follow-up, the scientists have now initiated measures for clinical trials with human volunteers to further evaluate its protective and therapeutic effects.

Alzheimer's is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that results in memory loss, erratic behaviour, personality changes and decline in thought process. The losses relate to the death of brain cells and the breakdown of the connections between them.

According to the World Health Organisation, on an average of five per cent of men and six per cent of women suffer from the disease. There is no cure for the disease and medicines are primarily used to improve attention, reduce delusions and ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in the patients.

Otherwise, the goals of care are mainly to minimise symptoms such as depression, agitation and suspiciousness, providing psychosocial interventions including education, support, counselling to both patients and those attending to them.

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