Since Alzheimer’s disease was first recognized, scientists have been working to understand better its causes, effects on the brain, and how to treat patients affected by it. While there is still no cure, new treatments are being developed to help treat patients' symptoms. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are currently 143 drugs undergoing clinical trials designed to address cognitive and behavioral symptoms. The most recent advancement in Alzheimer’s treatment is the new drug Leqembi (also referred to as lecanemab), which the FDA granted full approval as of July 2023.
While the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is not fully understood, scientists have observed that patients accumulate beta-amyloid proteins in their brains. These proteins clump together, forming amyloid plaques that destroy neurons and disrupt brain cell communication. Leqembi is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment designed to identify and attack these beta-amyloid proteins. Leqembi binds to the plaques and breaks them down, slowing the progression of cognitive decline in patients.
The FDA has approved Leqembi for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's, not those who already have significant cognitive impairment. Before prescribing this treatment, doctors must first conduct diagnostic tests - typically either a PET scan or a cerebrospinal (brain and spinal cord) fluid exam - to confirm the presence of beta amyloids. Leqembi is then administered intravenously once every two weeks for an indefinite period of time. When taken alongside other drugs that relieve symptoms of Alzheimer’s, patients will be able to maintain their independence and participate in their normal day-to-day lives longer.
Clinical trials have shown that after 18 months of treatment, Leqembi slowed the rate of cognitive decline by 27%, which could give patients a few more months of living and functioning generally before symptoms become more prevalent. Like all medications, however, Leqembi can have some potentially harmful side effects. The most common ones include swelling, infusion-related reactions, and headaches. Some studies have also shown that there is some risk of bleeding in the brain with Leqembi, more so for those already on blood thinners and those with an Alzheimer’s-linked gene mutation called APOE4. Other side effects might be confusion, dizziness, vision changes, nausea, and seizure.
In conclusion, Leqembi is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease nor can it reverse its progression in patients. However, its demonstrated ability to slow the rate of cognitive decline offers those with the disease some more time to live their lives and spend with their loved ones. As scientists study and gather data on Leqembi, they will be able to learn more about its effects, who will benefit from this treatment, and potentially how more treatments can be developed to fight Alzheimer’s disease effectively.
How do you weigh the treatment benefits of Leqembi with its potential risks of side effects, for example, bleeding in the brain?
Not worth taking the drug
It would depend on how you are feeling at that moment
Worth taking the drug
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