4pence-a-day BP pills can be effective in treating dementia

Researchers have suggested that Amlodipine, a 4 pence-a-day cheap blood pressure capsule, could potentially help in beating vascular dementia that results from problems with the blood supply to the brain.

To test their hypothesis, scientists at the Queen's University Belfast will be holding a two-year 2.25 million-pound trial of the drug on almost 600 dementia patients, the Daily Express reported.

Previous smaller-scale studies have reported that blood pressure drugs help lower the risk of dementia, but the new study will specifically test the effects of Amlodipine.

In the study, researchers will examine if a 10mg daily dose can prevent the disease pro-gressing and improve memory by protecting brain cells with improved blood supply.