It has been recently revealed that the cancer drug bexarotene is quite effective in reversing the pathological, cognitive and memory damages which happens at the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The research that appeared in the journal Science has said to have found a novel use of the drug.

A group of US researchers being led by Gary Landreth, from Western Reserve University conducted a mice laboratory test. From there, it was revealed that the drug is quite effective in treating the early symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Landreth shared that the drug has been approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration some 10 years back, but they saw something magical in the drug in 2008. There and then they decided to conduct a research on it.

From 2008, the study researchers started preparing for their research and got to know that the drug is capable in providing the much needed passage for amyloid in brain. Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disease occurs when amyloid did not get an outlet. However, bexarotene was not only able to provide an outlet but was quite quick in doing it.

Its method of doing so was a bit unique. The study researchers found that patients with Alzheimer's disease need Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) to allow the amyloid beta proteins to pass. The drug raised the level of ApoE in the body so the amyloid beta protein could get a passage.

Landreth told that they were quite surprised to see the speed of the drug to generate ApoE. The effect was visible in six hours of experiment and Landreth told that the effect will show its effect for next three days.

"This is a particularly exciting and rewarding study because of the new science we have discovered and the potential promise of a therapy for Alzheimer's disease”, said Landreth.