Common hormone could become new dementia drug, scientists say

Researchers at the University of Dundee have discovered that a small part of an appetite-suppressing hormone called leptin, can have dramatic effects on the brain

Researchers have found that a common hormone might be able to be used to treat early stage Alzheimer’s disease (Peter Byrne/PA)

A hormone present in the human body could be used to stop early stage Alzheimer’s disease in its tracks, scientists have announced.

Researchers at the University of Dundee have discovered that a small part of an appetite-suppressing hormone called leptin, which is present in everyone, can have dramatic effects on the brain, including stopping the development of Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages.