Alzheimers Disease
New Alzheimer’s Disease research breakthroughs
New treatment options are unlocking hope for millions of adults and loved ones affected by Alzheimer's
With such devastating impact on so many as they age, Alzheimer’s disease has commanded significant attention by way of clinical research. In the 1980s it was discovered that Alzheimer’s is caused by a build-up of plaque called beta-amyloid in the brain. This plaque can disrupt normal cell functioning, leading to the symptoms exhibited by Alzheimer’s dementia: memory loss, increased confusion and lessening self-care ability.
In the last few years alone, hundreds of clinical trials focused on the disease have been undertaken to better understand its root causes and to help limit or stall its effects. Until 2021, only two classes of drugs had been approved by the FDA to aid patients suffering with Alzheimer’s: cholinesterase inhibitors such as Aricept that can potentially ease symptoms at any stage, and a receptor antagonist, Memantine, to slow progression in those that are in an early disease state.
The 2020s however have seen more positive activity on the Alzheimer’s front than in any other previous decade. Recently a handful of clinical trials have reported positive results for new approaches to treatment. Two received fairly rapid FDA approvals. First out of the gate was Aduhelm, a monoclonal antibody approved in 2021 after demonstrating reduced brain plaque in patients with mild disease. The drug is delivered via a monthly infusion to help slow cognitive decline in people at the early stages of onset.
Shortly after Aduhelm was announced, the FDA issued another accelerated approval for a different monoclonal antibody demonstrated to also clear the presence of amyloid plaque in the brain. Leqembi, like Aduhelm, is given to patients with mild cognitive impairment via an intravenous infusion. In a research study with 1,800 participants diagnosed with early-stage disease, the therapy helped reduce decline in thinking by 27 percent over an 18-month period.
In 2023, a report stemming from a clinical trial of yet another monoclonal antibody, donanemab, was released showing even more promising results. In a study of 1,700 participants, more than one-third experienced slower mental decline when compared with participants on placebo. In addition, 47 percent of participants in the trial assigned to the therapy experienced stable disease, meaning that their disease that did not worsen, over the course of the trial. The drug was approved by the FDA in July 2024 for treatment in patients with early, symptomatic disease.
With any treatment, there are risks and benefits to be weighed based on the whole-health picture of a patient. But for Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones, recent progress such as that reported with new monoclonal antibody therapies shown to help remove amyloid plaque are providing much needed glimmers of hope.
Keep up to date on the latest research
Are you interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease? Register here on ClinicalResearch.com to receive news about Alzheimer's disease and related clinical trials. Check back often for updates and news on a variety of disease areas and to find out more about some of the latest clinical research trials.
Published Date May 02, 2024
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