( CNN ) -- British researchers say a new drug could effectively halt the progression of Alzheimer 's disease , offering hope to millions . The pioneering research -- a joint initiative between the University of Aberdeen in the UK and Singapore-based TauRx Therapeutics -- was announced this week at the Alzheimer 's Association International Conference on Alzheimer 's Disease ( ICAD 2008 ) in Chicago . The product -- remberTM -- is the first drug to act on the `` tangles '' discovered by Alois Alzheimer over a century ago . Tangles are made up of the protein , tau , which forms inside nerve cells in the brain . According to Aberdeen University , the drug works by dissolving these tau fibers to prevent a build up of tangles which destroy nerve cells and neurons critical for memory . Trials were carried out on 321 people with mild and moderate Alzheimer 's disease in the UK and Singapore . Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer 's disease were given either 30 , 60 or 100mg of the drug or a placebo . The 60mg dose produced the most pronounced effect , with those with both mild and moderate Alzheimer 's experiencing an 81 percent reduction in mental decline after 50 weeks . Those on rember did not experience a significant decline in their mental function over 19 months , while those on placebo got worse . Brain imaging data also showed that the drug had its biggest effect in the memory critical parts of the brain where the tangle density is highest . In a statement on the university 's Web site , Professor Claude Wischik , Chairman of TauRx Therapeutics and Professor of Psychiatric Geratology and Old Age Psychiatry at the University of Aberdeen 's Institute of Medical Sciences , who led the research , said : `` This is an unprecedented result in the treatment of Alzheimer 's disease . `` We have demonstrated for the first time that it may possible to arrest the progression of this disease by targeting the tangles which are highly correlated with the disease . '' Professor Clive Ballard , head of research at the Alzheimer 's Society , told the British Press Association : `` This is a major new development in the fight against dementia . `` It suggests the drug could be over twice as affective as any treatment that is currently available . '' If further trials prove successful , the drug could be available by 2012 .
Announced at Alzheimer 's Association International Conference in Chicago . remberTM is first drug to act on the `` tangles '' discovered by Alois Alzheimer . Tangles destroy nerve cells and neurons critical for memory . The drugs target tangles, which are found in a protein called tau, that can cause brain damage if they get tangled up with other proteins or damaged DNA.