After extensive research, scientists from the Boston University have managed to discover that a hormone linked to appetite might just be able to provide new hope to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and also help prevent it better.

As per the researchers, high levels of the hormone leptin, which is produced naturally by the body's fat cells, can be linked to a significantly reduced chance of developing the disorder. If further studies can back their findings, the scientist claim that a breakthrough drug based on leptin can one day be developed to effectively help all Alzheimer's ridden people, and also those who are at a risk.

For the sake of research, the scientists recorded blood leptin levels of some elderly subjects, and after following them for a total of 12 years discovered that those with the highest leptin levels were 4 times less likely to develop the condition, as opposed to those with low leptin levels.

Current estimates have revealed that nearly 700,000 people across Britain have dementia, out of which about 400,000 are suffering from Alzheimer's, which has emerged as the most common form of dementia. The figure is likely to hit 1.7 million by 2051, and in such a scenario, this finding is being considered much valuable.

Details of the study have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.