Beginning of the End - New Alzheimer’s Drugs bringing hope of Slowing Disease for UK Patients

Alzheimer’s Research UK announced that people in the UK could soon benefit from a key breakthrough arising from new medication. They do point out that the treatment only slows down the development of Alzheimer's; but after years of research the work shows they are on the right track to tackling this disease.

The Dementia Research Centre at University College London agreed with this, citing It has been a very long, hard road, but finally (they) have something positive to look at.

Alzheimer’s disease is triggered by the build-up of a protein called amyloid in the brain; however, symptoms may not appear until many years after this build-up of the protein has started.

For decades scientists have been at work to try and find ways to stop amyloid from forming these plaques, hoping this would stop the progression of the disease.

Lecanemab and Donanemab are the first medicines to achieve this aim – although they only slow down the disease’s progression and do not ultimately stop it.

The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) must first decide if they are safe and effective. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) must then decide whether they offer value for money.

More information can be found by visiting the Alzheimer’s Society website.