Scientists have tested a new approach to treat Alzheimer's disease. They say 30 mice were cured of the disease in their tests. Watch this report for all details.

Scientists test a new approach to treat Alzheimer's disease

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved an experimental medicine named lecanemab for Alzheimer's treatment. Watch this video to know more.

U.S. FDA approves new medicine for Alzheimer's

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved an experimental medicine named lecanemab for Alzheimer's treatment. FDA Director Dr Billy Dunn in a statement said the medicine targets the underlying disease process of Alzheimer's instead of treating the symptoms only.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved an experimental medicine named lecanemab for Alzheimer's treatment. FDA Director Dr Billy Dunn in a statement said the medicine targets the underlying disease process of Alzheimer's instead of treating the symptoms only. “Alzheimer’s disease immeasurably incapacitates the lives of those who suffer from it and has devastating effects on their loved ones. This treatment option is the latest therapy to target and affect the underlying disease process of Alzheimer’s, instead of only treating the symptoms of the disease.” Japan-based Eisai and American company Biogen have jointly developed the medicine. They claim that lecanemab slows down cognitive and functional decline by almost 27 per cent over 18 months. The medicine will be sold under the name Leqembi and its treatment is expected to cost $26,500 per year in the US. The clinical trials of the medicine were published in November last year. Based on the results, some experts hailed it as the next big breakthrough to treat Alzheimer's patients. WATCH | Gravitas: Breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment × “Treatments that deliver tangible benefits to those living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s and early Alzheimer’s dementia are as valuable as treatments that extend the lives of those with other terminal diseases," said US-based Alzheimer’s Association whilst welcoming the test results. Notably, the approval process for Leqembi was expedited after a US congressional report tore into the regulatory agency for approving another Alzheimer's medicine viz. Aduhelm, without proper due diligence. Read more: Experimental drug slows down cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients: Here’s what you need to know Despite test results showing that Aduhelm carried risks of brain swelling and bleeding when administered to patients, the FDA passed it for monoclonal antibody treatment. The FDA has the authority to fast-track the medicines it believes can help patients suffering from serious conditions. Currently, over 6.5 million individuals in the US suffer from Alzheimer's disease. The disease destroys memory, and cognitive skills, often rendering the patient incapable of performing simple, day-to-day tasks. Though there is no cure for the disease, doctors say that treatment therapies and medicines can slow down the effects. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US FDA approves new ‘breakthrough’ medicine for Alzheimer’s. Here’s what it does

An experimental drug, lecanemab, is being hailed as a breakthrough in&nbsp;Alzheimer's therapy&nbsp;after a clinical trial confirms that it slows the progression of cognitive decline in patients with early stages of the disease. However, a detailed report of the findings&nbsp; published&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;showed&nbsp;serious side effects that certain patients that took the drug suffered, the discussion of which&nbsp;is now at the forefront.&nbsp;

The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and subsequently presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease meeting in San Francisco, on Tuesday.&nbsp;This comes nearly two months after the Japan-based&nbsp;Eisai and American company Biogen, the developers of lecanemab, said it showed huge potential and slowed down cognitive and functional decline by almost 27 per cent over 18 months.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/medical-breakthrough-experimental-alzheimers-drug-slows-cognitive-decline-by-27-per-cent-in-trial-520445">Medical breakthrough? Experimental Alzheimer's drug slows cognitive decline by 27 per cent</a>

The drug was tested on nearly 18,000 participants with early-stage Alzheimer's, while Phase 2, which lasted for a year, did not show a significant difference between patients who received a&nbsp;lecanemab as opposed to a placebo and it was not until Phase 3 that a&nbsp;slowed-down progression was not noted.&nbsp;

Phase 3 trials were conducted in over 230 locations across North America, Europe and Asia between 2019 to 2021 with participants aged from 50 to 90, who suffered from mild cognitive impairment due to early Alzheimer's. At least half of the patients, chosen at random were given lecanemab while others received a placebo.&nbsp;

Subsequently, at&nbsp;least 13 per cent of patients reported dangerous brain swelling and others reported bleeding in the brain during the Phase 3 trials. Furthermore, at least five participants suffered macrohemorrhages and 14 per cent suffered from microhemorrhages, both of which were linked to the drug.&nbsp;

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However, the US-based Alzheimer’s Association welcomed the results, in a statement that said, “Treatments that deliver tangible benefits to those living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s and early Alzheimer’s dementia are as valuable as treatments that extend the lives of those with other terminal diseases.”&nbsp;

Lecanemab is said to be an antibody therapy which removes beta-amyloid which are clumps of protein building up in the brain. While it has not been determined how much of this build-up leads to Alzheimer’s in patients, it does indicate how the brain changes due to this&nbsp;and eventually destroys brain cells.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-world-alzheimers-day-expert-tells-wion-how-to-take-care-of-alzheimers-patient-at-home-518411">World Alzheimer's Day: Expert tells WION how to take care of Alzheimer's patient at home</a>

Notably, over the span of 18 months, 68 per cent of the participants who took the drug had amyloid clearance as well as lower levels of a different protein, tau, that forms toxic tangles inside brain cells, said the Japanese drugmaker. In an interview with Reuters, Ivan Cheung, Eisai's US chairman&nbsp;said the two deaths caused by brain haemorrhages “cannot be attributed to lecanemab.”&nbsp;

Referring to the two participants, where a 65-year-old woman was on medication for clearing blood clots after suffering a stroke and an 87-year-old who was on a blood thinner drug called Eliquis. Eisai said that the company had protocols in place for monitoring brain swelling in participants but sees no need for restrictions on which patients might be eligible for the Alzheimer's drug.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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An experimental drug, lecanemab, is being hailed as a breakthrough in Alzheimer's therapy after a clinical trial confirms that it slows the progression of cognitive decline in patients with early stages of the disease.

An experimental drug, lecanemab, is being hailed as a breakthrough in Alzheimer's therapy after a clinical trial confirms that it slows the progression of cognitive decline in patients with early stages of the disease. However, a detailed report of the findings published on Tuesday showed serious side effects that certain patients that took the drug suffered, the discussion of which is now at the forefront. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and subsequently presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease meeting in San Francisco, on Tuesday. This comes nearly two months after the Japan-based Eisai and American company Biogen, the developers of lecanemab, said it showed huge potential and slowed down cognitive and functional decline by almost 27 per cent over 18 months. ALSO READ | Medical breakthrough? Experimental Alzheimer's drug slows cognitive decline by 27 per cent The drug was tested on nearly 18,000 participants with early-stage Alzheimer's, while Phase 2, which lasted for a year, did not show a significant difference between patients who received a lecanemab as opposed to a placebo and it was not until Phase 3 that a slowed-down progression was not noted. Phase 3 trials were conducted in over 230 locations across North America, Europe and Asia between 2019 to 2021 with participants aged from 50 to 90, who suffered from mild cognitive impairment due to early Alzheimer's. At least half of the patients, chosen at random were given lecanemab while others received a placebo. Subsequently, at least 13 per cent of patients reported dangerous brain swelling and others reported bleeding in the brain during the Phase 3 trials. Furthermore, at least five participants suffered macrohemorrhages and 14 per cent suffered from microhemorrhages, both of which were linked to the drug. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Studies show that poor sleep can cause Alzheimer's However, the US-based Alzheimer’s Association welcomed the results, in a statement that said, “Treatments that deliver tangible benefits to those living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s and early Alzheimer’s dementia are as valuable as treatments that extend the lives of those with other terminal diseases.” Lecanemab is said to be an antibody therapy which removes beta-amyloid which are clumps of protein building up in the brain. While it has not been determined how much of this build-up leads to Alzheimer’s in patients, it does indicate how the brain changes due to this and eventually destroys brain cells. ALSO READ | World Alzheimer's Day: Expert tells WION how to take care of Alzheimer's patient at home Notably, over the span of 18 months, 68 per cent of the participants who took the drug had amyloid clearance as well as lower levels of a different protein, tau, that forms toxic tangles inside brain cells, said the Japanese drugmaker. In an interview with Reuters, Ivan Cheung, Eisai's US chairman said the two deaths caused by brain haemorrhages “cannot be attributed to lecanemab.” Referring to the two participants, where a 65-year-old woman was on medication for clearing blood clots after suffering a stroke and an 87-year-old who was on a blood thinner drug called Eliquis. Eisai said that the company had protocols in place for monitoring brain swelling in participants but sees no need for restrictions on which patients might be eligible for the Alzheimer's drug. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Experimental drug slows down cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients: Here’s what you need to know

There is some good news for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s as an experimental drug has shown significant success in slowing down cognitive and functional decline by almost 27 per cent, according to the makers of the medicine. Lecanemab, developed by Japanese drug maker Eisai and American company Biogen, showed huge potential in clinical trials and the companies believe that it can get approval by 2023.&nbsp;

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The study was conducted with 1800 patients suffering from various stages of Alzheimer’s. Eisai said that the data of the trial results will be presented at an Alzheimer’s conference in San Francisco in November.&nbsp;

There were some side effects of the drug like brain swelling and bleeding, but Eisai said they were well within their expected limits, according to a report in Washington Post.&nbsp;

Previously, the two companies tried to launch a similar drug called Aduhelm. While it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the lack of Medicare cover resulted in its discontinuation.&nbsp;

While Lecanemab has the same composition as Aduhelm, the latter has “reduced the pace of cognitive decline in people with early disease by 27% over 18 months”, the companies claimed.&nbsp;

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“A 27 per cent slowing of deterioration seems like a modest effect, but for patients with Alzheimer’s, this could be very meaningful,” Gil Rabinovici, a neurologist at the University of California, was quoted as saying by&nbsp;Reuters.

The next move by Eisai will be to obtain expedited approval before applying for full approval from the FDA, according to officials. The decision for the accelerated approval will arrive by January 6, 2023. The companies are also trying hard to ensure that the drug comes under Medicare cover post-approval.&nbsp;

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There is some good news for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s as an experimental drug has shown significant success in slowing down cognitive and functional decline by almost 27 per cent, according to the makers of the medicine.

There is some good news for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s as an experimental drug has shown significant success in slowing down cognitive and functional decline by almost 27 per cent, according to the makers of the medicine. Lecanemab, developed by Japanese drug maker Eisai and American company Biogen, showed huge potential in clinical trials and the companies believe that it can get approval by 2023. Also read | Nord Stream leaks: European leaders launch investigation into 'sabotage' The study was conducted with 1800 patients suffering from various stages of Alzheimer’s. Eisai said that the data of the trial results will be presented at an Alzheimer’s conference in San Francisco in November. There were some side effects of the drug like brain swelling and bleeding, but Eisai said they were well within their expected limits, according to a report in Washington Post. Previously, the two companies tried to launch a similar drug called Aduhelm. While it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the lack of Medicare cover resulted in its discontinuation. While Lecanemab has the same composition as Aduhelm, the latter has “reduced the pace of cognitive decline in people with early disease by 27% over 18 months”, the companies claimed. Also read | Hurricane Ian barrels towards Florida after leaving much of Cuba without power “A 27 per cent slowing of deterioration seems like a modest effect, but for patients with Alzheimer’s, this could be very meaningful,” Gil Rabinovici, a neurologist at the University of California, was quoted as saying by Reuters. The next move by Eisai will be to obtain expedited approval before applying for full approval from the FDA, according to officials. The decision for the accelerated approval will arrive by January 6, 2023. The companies are also trying hard to ensure that the drug comes under Medicare cover post-approval.

Medical breakthrough? Experimental Alzheimer's drug slows cognitive decline by 27 per cent

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Scientists test a new approach to treat Alzheimer's disease

U.S. FDA approves new medicine for Alzheimer's

US FDA approves new ‘breakthrough’ medicine for Alzheimer’s. Here’s what it does

Experimental drug slows down cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients: Here’s what you need to know

Medical breakthrough? Experimental Alzheimer's drug slows cognitive decline by 27 per cent