The Cure for Alzheimer’s Might Be Sitting on the Shelf

The FDA approved the medications gemfibrozil and retinoic acid decades ago for other uses, but now scientists believe they can reverse Alzheimer’s disease.

(Image Credit: Public Domain)

Globally, some 50 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s, a degenerative brain disease characterized by memory loss, poor judgement, disorientation, among many other symptoms. For those that suffer from it and their families, the onset of Alzheimer’s can radically alter their lives, leaving many in need of serious care and counseling. Canadian author Joey Comeau said that “Alzheimer’s disease is death before death, and I’m terrified of it.”

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Despite the seriousness and prevalence of the disease, scientists have struggled to pinpoint the cause, let alone the cure. In recent years, though, they’ve discovered that it’s likely due to the build up of abnormal proteins in the brain, forming a sort-of plaque around brain cells, impeding their normal functioning. In particular, it seems that a protein called amyloid…