New Alzheimer's Drug - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

There are an estimated four million people suffering from Alzheimer's in the United States.

So, it's no wonder that drug companies are motivated to find new treatments and many are hopeful that a new drug could be the answer for millions of Alzheimer's patients. It's called Huperzine-A.

"It is very safe, it has a long history of being used in China where it was discovered,"said Dr. Charles Decarli, an Alzheimer's specialist.

"It made her want to get up out of the chair, it made her want to go out to the pool and swim laps, it made her want to go out and prune her flowers," said Karen Galley, who's mother has Alzheimer's.

Doctor Charles Decarli is conducting a clinical trial of Huperzine-A through UC Davis' Alzheimer's Center. He said some patients tolerate this natural herb better than some Alzheimer's drugs but more research is needed.