Computer specialist Tony Shipley, 55, was only in his early 40s when he suddenly forgot what he was doing.

"So in the beginning it was very difficult for me to go to the doctors and say I've got Alzheimer's or memory problems," he said.

"I knew I was losing something but doctors didn't seem to want to diagnose anything around Alzheimer's or dementia."

Tony was a computer designer working for the Government when he realised he was becoming easily confused.

"I decided I had Alzheimer's or something like that but none of the doctors would prescribe that because I was very young."

Professor Ralph Martins is a major reason why Perth is now leading the world in Alzheimer's research.

Alzheimer's specialists now know what to look for. Victims and their families say they wish they had known earlier what was happening to them.

It begins with mild symptoms of memory loss then disorientation. As the brain damage increases, victims experience more problems with everyday tasks until eventually they need full time care.

After decades of research all over the world, the first major breakthrough came in Perth.

The Perth team found that a build-up of a sticky substance in the brain, a protein called beta-amyloid, kills off brain cells.

Professor Martins and his team at Edith Cowan University and McCusker Research Foundation have pinpointed lifestyle factors that can lead to Alzheimer's.

They include high cholesterol, lack of weight bearing exercise, low physical and mental activity and poor nutrition.

Trials are now being held checking the protection powers of green tea and fish oil capsules.

While the developments are too late for advanced patients, there is hope for others like Tony.

Related information

McCusker Foundation for Alzheimer's Disease Research
(08) 9347 4200
184 Hampden Rd, Nedlands WA 6009
www.alzheimers.com.au

National Dementia helpline number: 1800 100 500

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