A New Drug of Hope for Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Still, several treatments can help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. A brand new study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that donanemab,, a new medication, was effective at slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people with early symptoms.
Dr. Chad McDonald
8/25/20232 min read
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is the leading cause of dementia in older adults. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Still, several treatments can help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.
On August 24, 2023, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that found that donanemab, a monoclonal antibody that targets amyloid beta plaques in the brain, was effective at slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people with early symptoms.
The study enrolled 1,600 people with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either donanemab or a placebo every four weeks for 18 months.
The study results showed that donanemab was significantly more effective than placebo at slowing cognitive function and daily function decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. Donanemab also reduced the risk of developing dementia by 50%.
This is the first drug to show that it can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people with early symptoms. The results of this trial are an absolute game-changer and breakthrough for Alzheimer's research. They could lead to new treatments for this devastating disease.
What does this mean for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families?
The results of this study constitute a significant hope for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families. Donanemab is the first drug to show that it can slow the progression of the disease in people with early symptoms. This means that people with Alzheimer's disease may have more time to live with their loved ones and enjoy their lives.
It is important to note that donanemab is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease. It is a treatment that can help slow the disease's progression. People with Alzheimer's who take donanemab will still experience some decline in cognitive and daily functions. However, the decline will be slower than it would be without treatment.
What are the next steps?
The next step is to make donanemab available to people with Alzheimer's disease. The drug is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is expected that the FDA will make a decision about whether to approve donanemab in the coming months.
If donanemab is approved by the FDA, it will be the first drug to show that it can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people with early symptoms. This is a major breakthrough for Alzheimer's research and could lead to new treatments for this devastating disease.