Experimental drug reduces protein clumps and slows memory loss i

 reported Wednesday in the journal Nature

The results of the early clinical trial, reported Wednesday in the journal Nature, offer new evidence that clearing amyloid plaques might be an effective strategy for preventing, halting or even reversing Alzheimer’s dementia, especially if the degenerative brain disorder is detected and treated early.

“It is a hopeful sign,” said Dr. James A. Hendrix, director of global science initiatives for the Alzheimer’s Assn. “This is a small trial, but it still is exciting for a number of reasons.