A new drug slows the progression of Alzheimer's.

It acts in its early stages, reports BBC.

According to the scientists, this is a historic step and could usher in a new type of therapy.

For decades, no drug could be found to affect the disease affecting millions around the world.

1,795 volunteers with early stage Alzheimer's participated in the study. 

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The results were presented at a scientific conference in San Francisco.

They show a partial slowing of the course of the disease.

The active ingredient of the new medication acts on a specific protein in the brain that causes the destruction of cognitive abilities.

Currently, the only therapy against the disease is taking drugs that suppress some of the symptoms, but so far none of them change the course of the disease.