What's in the news...

A study has shown that a drug previously used to treat mild cases of Alzheimer's actually has a greater effect on those with a severe case of the disease.

The six-month long study took place in America and was carried out on a group of 343 men and women who had severe Alzheimer's. Half of the participants were given the drug - Donepezil - and the other half were taking a placebo. Those taking the Donepezil showed significant improvement in language, memory and recognition.

This is seen as evidence that although there is no cure for the disease, drugs such as Donepezil can help to minimize and ease the symptoms of Alzheimer's, giving the sufferer a much better quality of life. Also on the plus side with use of this drug the side effects are small and rare, though they can include; diarrhoea, insomnia and nausea.

Thanks to the study the drug has now been certified for use with all levels of Alzheimer's from severe to mild.

A two-year-old girl has become the youngest ever female member of Mensa.

Georgia Brown, from Aldershot in Hampshire was offered membership to the exclusive society after scoring a genius IQ rating of 152.

Georgia's score puts her in the top 0.2 per cent of the population for intelligence, with the average score being around 100.

Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease are being given drugs that can shorten their life by as much as six years, according to a study by the Alzheimer's Research Trust.

It's estimated that around 45 per cent of nursing home residents with Alzheimer's are being given the drug, a form of sedative known as neuroleptics, in order to control behavioural symptoms.

The study shows that not only do the drugs shorten life expectancy, but can actually cause the patient's condition to deteriorate.