Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Slows Cognitive Decline in Large Study
The experimental Alzheimer’s disease drug lecanemab slowed the progression of cognitive decline by 27 percent in a large, late-stage clinical trial, the drugmakers Biogen and Eisai said.Lecanemab is in a family of medicines designed to clear the brain of plaques formed by the buildup of a protein known as beta-amyloid, which is thought to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In clinical trial results released by Biogen and Eisai on September 27, lecanemab also reduced amyloid levels in the brain and appeared to improve participants’ cognition and ability to perform daily tasks.“Today’s announcement gives patients and their families hope that lecanemab, if approved, can potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and provide a clinically meaningful impact on cognition and function,” said Michel Vounatsos, the chief executive…