Hopes soar for Alzheimer's cure as dementia expert predicts there will be cure in 10 years

Record View says the prospect of a cure could give hope to thousands in the years and decades ahead – and consign this horrible disease to history.

Alzheimer's is a devastating illness that affects tens of thousands of families in Scotland – and millions around the globe. Generation after generation of Scots have had to watch loved ones succumb to this cruellest of diseases.

Now, though, experts believe we could be on the brink of an incredible breakthrough – and one that, perhaps, could be made in Scotland. World-leading dementia specialist Professor Craig Ritchie, founder and CEO of innovative neuroscience firm Scottish Brain Sciences, reckons an effective cure could be just a decade away.

Crucially, however, he says this will require a change in approach to diagnose Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia far earlier in people’s lives – before symptoms have emerged. That’s because recent research suggests it can start in young people decades before the disease becomes known.

Ritchie insists people should stay realistic about the fact that, sadly, the new treatments becoming available will help younger generations rather than people suffering moderate or advanced cases of dementia today. Nonetheless, he is confident things could move quickly over the coming decade – to the extent that advanced cases could be eradicated in the future.

And the stakes are high. About 90,000 people in Scotland have dementia and it’s one of our leading causes of death. Not only that, but treatment costs the taxpayer billions a year at a time when public finances are beyond stretched – and this is set to rise. The prospect of a cure could give hope to thousands in the years and decades ahead – and consign this horrible disease to history.

Pensioners’ plight

Many old Scots will be understandably apprehensive about the prospect of a cold winter. Average fuel bills are expected to rise by 10 per cent, while the Winter Fuel Payment has been taken away from most.

The UK state pension has risen but the cost of living crisis continues to diminish the spending power of many people. Food costs have more than doubled in recent years – one of the reasons a charity has warned that some pensioners are skipping meals in a desperate attempt to reduce their bills.

Older people in Scotland in 2024 should not be forced to make such decisions that could have a dire impact on their health. While pressure on public spending remains intense, both the UK and Scottish governments must ensure in their upcoming Budgets the most vulnerable are protected. Support this winter must be available to those who need it.

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