The scientific community should not give up hope of finding a drug which slows down dementia, the region’s health experts have said.

The fight against dementia was dealt a blow last week when a drug many hoped would become the first to slow the disease fell at the final hurdle.

Solanezumab had no significant effect on the thinking abilities of people with mild Alzheimer’s in the final stage of tests, leaving patient groups disappointed.

The drug was the most advanced of the clutch of medicines intended to target the plaques of amyloid protein in the brain that are the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

Around 11,700 people live with dementia in Suffolk.

Dr Mark Shenton, a GP in Stowmarket, said: “It’s certainly disappointing that this drug trial has not delivered the results we would all like to have seen. There is an ageing population and it is estimated the number of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will increase. This trial was one of several and I am hopeful that one day dementia will be beaten.”

Dr Ben Underwood, eastern clinical lead for dementia, mental health and neurology at the National Institute for Health Research, said a single setback should not affect “strong” reasons to be optimistic.

He said: “The recent failure of a potential drug for Alzheimer’s disease is of course disappointing – it would have been so much better if the drug had been successful. However, one setback does not mean that there are not strong reasons to be optimistic.

“Firstly, even this most recent trial has added to our knowledge about the disease, and in medical history understanding diseases as well as we understand Alzheimer’s has almost always led to treatment. Secondly, this is not the only drug being developed. There have never been so many drugs being trialled for dementia.

“At the Windsor research Unit in Cambridge alone we are running 14 separate studies, many of them drug trials. The really exciting thing is that nearly all these potential treatments work in quite different ways. All of these are based on sound science so it seems very unlikely that all will fail.

“I am aware of at least two other totally different drugs undergoing final trials where results will be known in the next six months to a year, so though the recent news has been disappointing we are very close to more results and it seems likely at least some of these will be successful. Because they are also the last studies needed to gain approval, if they are successful the drugs should quickly be available to patients.

“Dementia is the most pressing medical problem of our time, but there are genuine reasons to think that more effective treatments are likely to arrive in the near future. Now is not a time to be disheartened.”

Chris Fox, honorary consultant psychogeriatrician for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The apparent failure of Solanezumab is a set back but there are several other medications currently being tested which could open up treatment options, including key enzyme blockers known as beta secretase inhibitors which may show benefit.

“There is also a new focus on developing preventative treatments to limit the onset of dementia. In 2017, the ASCRIBED study funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK will launch across England and Scotland, and will help us investigate the links between inflammation and genetic triggers. We hope that research such as this may help unlock new treatment gateways.”

Dr Mark Shenton, a GP in Stowmarket and chairman of NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s certainly disappointing that this drug trial has not delivered the results we would all like to have seen.

“In Suffolk and across the country there is an ageing population and it is estimated the number of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will increase. We continue to work with health professionals from different organisations in Suffolk to share ideas and offer high quality care for patients and support for their families.

“It’s important to remember that with support and treatment those people can still live full and active lives. Studies also highlight that positive lifestyle changes can impact on brain health and reduce the risk of dementia, including quitting smoking, taking exercise, keeping a healthy weight and not drinking too much alcohol.

“This trial was one of several and I am hopeful that one day dementia will be beaten.”