A recent study of the experimental drug Flurizan indicated that it slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease during its early stages, but it made no difference when taken during more advanced stages.

Flurizan works by blocking the production of beta amyloid in the brain. Beta amyloid buildup is a hallmark of Alzheimer's, although scientists hesitate to say whether it actually causes the disease.

Flurizan is not FDA-approved and is only available in clinical research settings. Still, the study's results emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. To learn more about the first signs of Alzheimer's disease, see my article on Early Indicators of Alzheimer's. For a discussion of FDA-approved medications, see Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.

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