After a clinical trial revealed that a medicine reduces cognitive loss in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, researchers celebrated the start of a new era of Alzheimer’s therapy.
After decades of failure in the sector, the outcome has given specialists reason to believe that Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 30 million people globally, may be curable.
What is Lacenemab?
Bart De Strooper, head of the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, claimed that this medication is the first to actually provide Alzheimer’s patients a therapeutic alternative.
The medication, lecanemab, is an antibody treatment that gets rid of beta-amyloid protein clumps that accumulate in the brain.
The makers of Lecanemab, Biogen in the US and Eisai in Japan, released the summary results of the clinical trial involving over 1,800 patients in September. However, experts in the field awaited the complete results, which were finally released on Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Nearly two-thirds of the 55 million persons with dementia around the world are affected by Alzheimer’s. Patients typically pass away seven years after receiving a diagnosis, making it the top cause of mortality in the UK.
The UK spends £25 billion annually on the condition, and by 2050, that amount is projected to nearly quadruple to £47 billion. The most typical early symptoms are memory issues, but as the disease advances, people can become disoriented in familiar settings, have trouble making decisions, struggle with basic tasks, and eventually become unable to eat or move independently.
Lecanemab has such a limited effect, at least over 18 months, that it is unclear if patients will experience any benefit. It is expensive, costing between £10,000 and £30,000 per patient annually.
When to Discontinue Alzheimer’s Drugs?
Your symptoms and care strategy will evolve over time because Alzheimer’s is a progressive illness. Working with your doctor to determine how long you should take Alzheimer’s medication is part of your care plan’s continual evaluation.
It could be challenging to determine if Alzheimer’s medications are effective due to their often subdued side effects. But without your medication, you can’t tell if your symptoms might be worse.
Before quitting an Alzheimer’s medication, discuss it with your doctor. Also, let them know if your condition gets worse after stopping.
Finding the best methods to manage your symptoms and maintain your independence might be made easier by collaborating with your medical team.
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