Pratchett discusses Alzheimer's battle

Terry Pratchett has vowed to fight strongly against Alzheimer's disease in a TV documentary about his battle with the condition.

Speaking on Terry Pratchett - Living With Alzheimer's, which will air on BBC Two next week, the bestselling fantasy author confirmed that he has been trying a number of experimental treatments in recent months.

"I've decided I'm not going to go down without a fight," he explained. "For me, this really is a matter of life and death. This damn disease is not going to go away, it's only going to get worse."

Asked about his decision to experiment with unproven treatments, Pratchett added: "Like anyone who suffers from an incurable disease, I will grab hold of even the slightest promise of hope. There is a kind of empowerment in knowing that you are doing something."

The writer, best known for his Discworld series of novels, also admitted that he is tired of being seen as a victim since announcing his condition to fans in 2007.

He said: "I don't particularly want to be 'Terry Pratchett, the famous Alzheimer's sufferer'. Everywhere I go, people expect me to be some kind of a wreck and it's beginning to get on my nerves."