Sir Pratchett channels his creative energies against Alzheimer's

Fans of Sir Terry Pratchett are hoping the prolific author can somehow defeat the debilitating form of Alzheimer's disease that afflicts him.

The recently knighted writer has been talking about his disease recently and is even testing out a new sort of anti-dementia helmet which might hold promise for a treatment. It certainly looks like something from a bad sci-fi story.

Not many science fiction writers are knights, but one who was was Arthur C. Clarke. His influence is such that people are writing tributes months after his death.

A British author who is a long way from being knighted, but may make it one day is Neal Asher. Sci-Fi London, the site behind that city's fantastic film festival, caught up with the writer recently to film an interview.