Drug trial to treat Alzheimer's

FIRST ON 7: Melbourne researchers are trialling a common drug used to treat diabetes in an effort to delay the onset of Alzheimer's.

The landmark research will use trial participants who are yet to develop signs of the condition.

Trevor and Sue Wilson’s idyllic life changed dramatically four years ago when Sue, aged 52 was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

"We cry a lot, we laugh a lot, then she'll turn around and say to me 'this isn't how life was supposed to be'," Trevor said.

The condition progressed rapidly, Sue can't read or write now and she needs constant care and suffers memory loss.

Currently 320,000 Australians are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s the most common cause. It is responsible for 70 per cent of cases.

Researchers at the Austin Hospital will recruit 400 trial participants, without symptoms, who will take a daily dose of the common diabetes drug Pioglitazone.

Researchers are optimistic the trial drug will increase the brains metabolic activity, improve memory function and ultimately delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Trevor hopes the latest research could one day spare other families from the sadness his endures.

Neuroscience Trials Australia has established a 1800 number for potential study participants: 1800 778 629.