A Waterford-based scientist has defended research findings after UK-based critics described as “too small to be reliable” a study which suggested giving patients with Alzheimer’s disease antioxidant therapy with fish oil could slow down the progress of the disease.

Professor John Nolan, co-founder Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI), Waterford Institute of Technology.

A major study involving over 100 people in the early stages of the most common cause of blindness has shown an improvement in the vision of those taking a dietary supplement of carotenoids.

Researchers carrying out pioneering investigations into the link between nutrition and Alzheimer’s want volunteers to take part in a study on the disease.

A budget of €15m over the next four years has been projected for a research centre at Waterford Institute of Technology which will examine the importance of nutrition to a number of human health issues.