An experimental Alzheimer's drug from drugmaker Eli Lilly helped slow cognitive decline in patients in the early stages of the illness, according to the results of a late-stage clinical trial. Side effects of the drug, called donanemab, however, were serious in some cases, and included brain swelling and brain bleeds.

How does Leqembi work? It targets the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and may interfere with memory and thinking. The clinical trials indicate that Leqembi removes the amyloid plaques from the brain and that this, in turn, slows the progression of the disease.

In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lecanemab (Leqembi) for people with mild Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. A phase 3 clinical trial found that the medicine slowed cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer's disease.

The blood test detects traces of the toxic protein beta amyloid, which builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. The Leqembi drug has been shown to remove amyloid from the brain and Lilly's drug candidate is also based on that principle.

Aducanumab is an antibody therapy that targets amyloid beta protein. This protein accumulates in clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers believe these clumps play a role in damaging brain cells, ultimately causing them to stop working and die.

Eli Lilly released full clinical trial results that shows promising results for donanemab, which could slow cognitive decline by 60% in patients with mild symptoms. Plus, a first-of-its-kind study provides insight in what parts of the country Alzheimer's is most prevalent.

But now, he sees a sliver of hope: a new drug called Leqembi. It's not a cure and does not restore memories destroyed by the fatal neurodegenerative disease. But the medication modestly slows progression of the condition, even as it raises significant safety and cost issues that are generating intense controversy.

In studies reviewed by the FDA, Leqembi appeared to slow declines in memory and thinking by about 27% after 18 months of treatment. It also dramatically reduced the sticky beta-amyloid plaques that tend to build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

On July 6, 2023, Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb) received traditional approval from the US FDA for the treatment of AD based on Phase 3 data from the Clarity AD clinical trial [17].

Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's, as it is for most types of dementia. This means that a person is more likely to get Alzheimer's as they get older. Above the age of 65, a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's doubles about every five years.

Alzheimer's drug, Eli Lilly's donanemab, can slow disease by a few months, with risks, study finds.

Aging and Alzheimer's risk Older age does not cause Alzheimer's, but it is the most important known risk factor for the disease. The number of people with Alzheimer's disease doubles about every 5 years beyond age 65. About one-third of all people age 85 and older may have Alzheimer's disease.