Biogen developed a drug called aducanumab may be effective in removing the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. Could it be the cure for a chronic neurodegenerative disease?

Alzheimer's disease or AD is the cause of 60% to 70% of cases of dementia, and it is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. More than 300,000 people have dementia in Australia alone. This week, there are reports online suggest that scientists found a cure for this disease.

Many experts believe that Alzheimer's is caused by amyloid plaques accumulating in the brain. In a recent report this week, Biogen, a multinational biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has developed a drug called aducanumab, Fortune reported. The drug could remove the brain plaques that could cause Alzheimer's.

The antibody aducanumab can reduce Aβ plaques in Alzheimer's disease, according to the recent report, published in Nature. The aducanumab is an experimental drug. A study published on Nature shows that over one year, doses of aducanumab reduced substances in the brain, and showed the progression of dementia.

The study included 165 patients for testing the drug, limiting the implication. Some patients experienced side effect known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. This side effect can cause bleeding in the brain.

Despite the drug was only tested in some patients, Dr. James A. Hendrix, director of global science initiatives for the Alzheimer's Assn, is very optimistic with the recent result related to Alzheimer's cure, LA Times reported.

"This is a small trial, but it still is exciting for a number of reasons," Hendrix said. "I am cautiously optimistic," he added.

Since scientists are still developing aducanumab, there are ways to avoid having early signs of Alzheimer's disease or reduce risk of the condition-one of them is eating the right foods.

Rob Hobson, Nutritionist and head of nutrition at Healthspan, said it is important to eat high quality foods containing a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. He warned that unhealthy diet can increase the risk of poor heart health.

The nutritionist said revealed the six brain friendly foods that could help improve brain and reduce risk of Alzheimer's, and these are, blueberries, eggs, ginger, oats, nuts, and oily fish.