Vitamin E, drug delay Alzheimer's in study

BOSTON Researchers have found that ordinary vitamin E pillsmodestly slow Alzheimer's - the first time any treatment has beenshown to change the course of the disease.

Patients with moderately severe Alzheimer's who took high dosesof the vitamin in a two-year study delayed such major events as goinginto a nursing home by about seven months.

The study - the largest ever involving Alzheimer's - also foundthat selegiline, or Eldepryl, a standard prescription drug forParkinson's, does the same thing and seems to work about as well asvitamin E.Both appear to help by protecting brain cells from the damagingeffects of oxygen. Experts say this offers an important clue forfinding other drugs that will be even more effective.Dr. John Growdon of Massachusetts General Hospital, one of theresearchers, said, "This is not an overwhelming effect, but it is thefirst time we have seen long-term benefit. I find that veryencouraging."