Is lecanemab the Alzheimer's drug that will finally make a difference?
The experimental drug lecanemab was able to slow down Alzheimer's in a large study. Many researchers think the drug will become the first to help large numbers of patients.
A drug that offers a small benefit to Alzheimer's patients is making a big splash with doctors who treat the disease.
The drug, a monoclonal antibody called lecanemab, dominated last week's Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease meeting in San Francisco.
At the meeting, researchers presented results of a study of nearly 1,800 people in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Those who got lecanemab for 18 months experienced 27% less decline in memory and thinking.
The study was paid for by the drug company Eisai, which is developing lecanemab in collaboration with the U.S. company Biogen.
"There was a feeling of elation,, executive director of Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix.
