Daffodils could provide Alzheimer's treatment

Daffodils produced in the Black Mountains of Wales could be a major source of the compound galatamine, which has been found to help treat Alzheimer’s disease. Galantamine, an alkaloid extracted from the bulbs and leaves, has been found to slow down the progress of the disease.

The BBC reports that scientists are studying whether there is a relationship between the elevation at which the bulbs are grown and the amount of galantamine produced. Initially, it appears that plants grown at higher elevations have a higher concentration of galantamine.

Trevor Walker, a researcher with Alzeim Ltd. in Powys, Wales, told the BBC his company is working to produce a less expensive generic version of the compound.

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For more: Alzeim Ltd., Honddu House, Hospital Road, Talgarth, Brecon, Powys, United Kingdom LD3 0DT; www.alzeim.org.