The female doctor found a new treatment for memory impairment

Lecturer in Hanoi University of Pharmacy after 7 years of research has found a substance that helps prevent Alzheimer's disease. Currently the world has not found cure.

Realizing that memory impairment in Vietnam is increasing, especially "disease" in the elderly but not yet having treatment drugs, Dr. Tran Phuong Thao (33 years old, lecturer of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, University of Pharmacy Hanoi) desires to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease .

Alzheimer's is a disease of brain dysfunction, the world science has not found a drug to treat the root cause of the disease but only treat the symptom, that is, slow down the process of memory decline and perception of patient.

Ms. Thao said, the idea of ​​studying Alzheimer's disease was "charming" with her since she was a doctoral dissertation in South Korea in 2011. At first she wondered because this is a difficult way, by countries. With modern equipment has not found the drug for this disease. She thought, "If someone finds out, they will probably have a Nobel Prize for them."

Dr. Tran Phuong Thao.(Photo: NVCC).

With determination to find medicine for treatment, to Vietnam since 2015, she has pursued this research direction. Over many years of analytical experimentation, her experiment has found a number of derivatives that can inhibit the enzyme Glutaminyl cyclase - one of the Alzheimer's causes.

However, female scientists share from studying a potential active substance in the laboratory until the active ingredient into a drug used in clinical treatment is a very long way. Because there are many stages and essential elements such as time, funding, physical conditions, legal provisions .

A substance with good activity will be tested in vitro (in vitro test, in addition to living organism) and then in mice, rabbits, dogs . If there is a certain effect, the research orientation will be people.

Sharing about difficulties, Dr. Thao said that it was difficult to do science, but it was more difficult for women to work well and take care of their families. I told you that I had to go to the lab late at night, and when I got home, I slept. Many times, testing the failures made her frustrated, but the encouragement of her family helped her overcome them all.

In 2017, she received a scholarship for talented scientists by the International Award Council L'Oreal -UNESCO for the development of women in science awarded.

"If my research and colleagues in the implementation process are not yet possible, it will be an experience for me to continue my work and achieve success in the next stage ," Thao said and reminded young people. need to pursue passion to the end.

Dr. Tran Phuong Thao has 14 articles published in SCI magazine, a rapporteur at 7 specialized international conferences (AIMEC 2015, TETW2014, PSK2013 .), co-author of 13 magazine articles national and international, co-owned three patents (patents). In addition, she is leading a State-level project (Nafosted) and a scientific secretary, a key research member of three other State-level projects.